We have found warmth and sunshine in southern Arizona. Of course a week ago they also had freezing weather. However, now it is glorious.

Yesterday we took a hike along the San Pedro River, which is a riparian conservation area for most of its length. There actually was water in the river due to the snow last week that is still melting from the mountains. Usually there is no water this time of year.

We stopped to see art galleries in Benson. This is an active mining town that also has a great arts community. In one of the galleries a woman told us about the Whitewater Draw conservation area. That became our next stop. In the winter this is the home of about 20,000 Sandhill Cranes and thousands of other waterfowl. The noise was impressive, the cranes beautiful, and the mountains in the background spectacular. We want to return there Thursday to paint.