Morning on the Mighty San Pedro
© 2019 RGallucci Photography

The modest San Pedro River, its flow often nothing more than a series of small pools amidst the scorched dry river bed, roared to life after the three-day storm passed through our area. For a quarter-mile on each side of its breached banks, the shallow bed of swollen rainwater coursed northward, nourishing flora and fauna with its precious nutrient bounty.

But in the parched southern Arizona high desert rainwater is more precious and fragile than gold. This morning a battle was fought on the San Pedro between two foes with vastly opposing plans for the spoils. From below, the ground greedily tried to consume as much of the nutritious overflow as it could, while from above, the blistering sun worked to harness back its lost treasure to start the rain cycle anew. It was during this campaign that I chanced upon the river, cloaked as it was in a sheer blanket of fine mist. I had been on a hunt for waterfalls, another of the high deserts elusive wonders, but stopped immediately to witness this magnificent vision of translucent beauty. It was a spectacle I have not seen here before, one I am not sure I will ever be graced to see again.

I am blessed to be His scribe.

Morning on the Mighty San Pedro
©RGallucci Photography
www.rgallucci.com


Shoot Date: November 30, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
⅛ sec at f/16 Bias:1 EV
ISO: ISO 100
Lens:EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM @ 24 mm