Most of the country is experiencing a snowy winter, but it is hard to imagine that cold here in the Sonoran desert. Our latitude and placement relative to the Pacific Ocean give us the climate of a typical midlatitude desert. Life thrives in the winter, especially in the canyons where the winter precipitation concentrates as runoff. Here are a few quick shots from the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness.

A javelina (Pecari tajacu) crossing the water.

Cottonwood trees (Populus fremontii) caught in late afternoon light – leafless, but very much alive.

Saguaros (Carnegiea gigantea) and sycamore (Platanus wrightii) in a canyon bottom.

Insects (unknown species) mating in a late afternoon sunbeam.

The last light of the day catches the canyon walls and is reflected on the water rushing through this wilderness. There is no snow, and that is just fine.