Spotting bighorn sheep in the San Gabriels

Brenda Rees of the website SoCal Wild joined a volunteer outing last weekend to count bighorn sheep in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains. There are believed to be more than 400 sheep in the range, an increase since a 2003 fire cleared out thick old-growth brush. She saw snow and braved a cold wind for hours, but it wasn't until the end of the day that her group spotted a small herd.

Far off in the distance, they effortlessly moved over a thick rock slab and wandered between trees. Three rams, I saw, but more were out there. “I counted eight,” said someone. “I counted 10,” said another. “I just saw wild sheep!” I told myself.

I was overjoyed on the ride back down and the rest of the day.

Photo: Channelle Davis