The peninsular (desert) bighorn sheep (ovis canadensis) has been listed under the California State Endangered Species Act (ESA) since 1971 and the Federal Endangered Species Act since 1998, but their numbers continue to decline rapidly due to urban expansion and mountain lion predation. Current estimates are that less than 600 remain in the US, with some estimates as low as 335.

Approximately 200 of the remaining sheep are located in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. I was extremely fortunate to happen upon a herd of 20 sheep, complete with a button buck and a little suckling lamb who made his (her?) very first public appearance that day. The sheep are exceptionally well camouflaged for their environment and are a challenging subject to photograph well under the harsh desert sun.