IMG_1668b.jpgWe arrived well after sunrise on the first day, but we were there in time to see some of the cranes taking off from a roost area north of the refuge entrance. |
IMG_1669b.jpgJan on the berm between the road and the marshy roosting area |
IMG_1670b.jpgLooking west over the roosting area; few cranes remain |
DSC_0956b.jpgMale Northern Shoveler. The weather was cold enough to produce an icy cover on the marshy roost area |
DSC_0970b.jpgTwo Sandhill Cranes leaving their night time roost area |
DSC_1013b.jpgPer Bill D: lightly marked bib (upper breast) indicates juvenile, light morph Western Red-tailed Hawk, rather than juvenile Harris's Hawk (bib is dark on the HAHA). The other underpart markings, including the bars on the lower part, are consistent with light morph RTHA. |
DSC_1017b.jpgAfter leaving the roost area, we continued to the Visitor Center where I spotted this Green-tailed Towhee scratching in the sand next to a scrubby bush. |
DSC_1018b.jpgGreen-tailed Towhee near the Visitor Center at Bosque del Apache NWR |
DSC_1020b.jpgGreen-tailed Towhee |
DSC_1024b.jpgImmature White-crowned Sparrow near Visitor Center |
DSC_1029b.jpgWhite-winged Dove |
DSC_1030b.jpgCottontail Rabbit |
DSC_1032b.jpgImmature White-crowned Sparrow |
DSC_1033b.jpgImmature White-crowned Sparrow |
DSC_1035b.jpgCommon Raven |
DSC_1047b.jpgGambel's Quail near Visitor Center |
DSC_1051b.jpgGambel's Quail |
DSC_1066b.jpgGambel's Quail |
DSC_1070b.jpgGambel's Quail |
DSC_1078b.jpgAdult White-crowned Sparrow |
DSC_1085b.jpgGreen-tailed Towhee |
DSC_1089b.jpgGreen-tailed Towhee |
DSC_1095b.jpgGreen-tailed Towhee |
DSC_1101b.jpgGreen-tailed Towhee |
DSC_1105b.jpgGreen-tailed Towhee |
IMG_1671b.jpgAfter leaving the Visitor Center, we took the South Loop around the refuge and stopped at this bridge that led to a pond. |
DSC_1112b.jpgTwo Western Grebes were swimming and diving on the far side of the pond. |
DSC_1113b.jpgWestern Grebes |
DSC_1115b.jpgWestern Grebes |
DSC_1122b.jpgA Ruby-crowned Kinglet popped up in the trees around the pond. |
DSC_1130b.jpgFemale and male Hooded Mergansers on the pond |
DSC_1134b.jpgFemale and male Hooded Mergansers |
DSC_1140b.jpgWe took a side spur off the main road and found some Eastern Bluebirds perching in a cottonwood tree. |
DSC_1149b.jpgEastern Bluebird with "orange" throat |
DSC_1150b.jpgEastern Bluebird |
DSC_1153b.jpgSay's Phoebe |
DSC_1154b.jpgSay's Phoebe |
DSC_1158b.jpgEastern Bluebird |
IMG_1686b.jpgA canal ran along one side of the Southern Loop and extended along the Northern loop too. |
IMG_1690b.jpgThe park rangers had chosen this day to conduct a controlled burn across part of the lands encompassed in the Northern Loop. |
DSC_1159b.jpgGoing up one side of the Northern Loop, we came across this young Mule Deer buck. |
DSC_1160b.jpgMule Deer |
DSC_1165b.jpgBlack tail tip on a stag Mule Deer |
IMG_20181128_105625b.jpgThe smoke from the controlled burn was quite thick, but was blowing away from us. |
IMG_20181128_111848b.jpgPlume of smoke from the controlled burn. |
DSC_1190b.jpgFire and smoke from the controlled burn |
DSC_1197b.jpgFalse 'eyes' on the back of the head of an American Kestrel |
DSC_1200b.jpgAmerican Kestrel |
DSC_1201b.jpgAmerican Kestrel |
DSC_1203b.jpgAmerican Kestrel |
DSC_1205b.jpgNorthern Pintails in flight |
20181128_124356b.jpgOn the north side of the North Loop, we stopped to photograph the Sandhill Cranes in the fields. |
IMG_20181128_124224b.jpgJan photographing cranes |
IMG_1698b.jpgJan checking her photos |
IMG_1705b.jpgJan on the North Loop at Bosque del Apache NWA, NM, waiting for the next great shot |
IMG_1706b.jpgJan photographing birds |
DSC_1213b.jpgThe Sandhill Cranes seemed to know the female Northern Harrier had no interest in them. |
DSC_1215b.jpgFemale Northern Harrier perched at the edge of a field |
DSC_1223b.jpgSandhill Crane and Northern Harrier |
DSC_1240b.jpgSandhill Crane in flight |
DSC_1241b.jpgCloser look at Sandhill Crane in flight |
DSC_1246b.jpgTwo cranes landing in a field |
DSC_1257b.jpgCranes coming in for a landing |
DSC_1274b.jpgCranes in the field |
DSC_1279b.jpgA little crane squabble |
DSC_1348b.jpgMore cranes in flight |
DSC_1359b.jpgMale Northern Harrier floating over the field |
DSC_1364b.jpgMale Northern Harrier scanning a field for prey |
DSC_1365b.jpgMale Northern Harrier |
DSC_1380b.jpgMale Northern Harrier |
DSC_1371b.jpgSavannah Sparrow |
DSC_1374b.jpgSavannah Sparrow |
DSC_1404b.jpgFirst one turkey trotted across the road in front of us... |
DSC_1406b.jpgThis one turned away from us and headed out into the field... |
DSC_1407b.jpg...but stopped to give us one last look. |
DSC_1424b.jpgA Bald Eagle and Common Raven stood out in a field with Sandhill Cranes in the background. |
DSC_1431b.jpgBald Eagle, Common Ravens and Sandhill Cranes |
DSC_1436b.jpgThe Bald Eagle takes flight |
DSC_1440b.jpgBald Eagle in flight |
DSC_1447b.jpgSandhill Cranes |
DSC_1465b.jpgSandhill Crane |
DSC_1480b.jpgSandhill Cranes feeding in a newly mowed field |
DSC_1496b.jpgA squabble among the cranes |
DSC_1497b.jpgSandhill Cranes |
DSC_1504b.jpgSandhill Cranes at odds |
DSC_1505b.jpgSandhill Crane altercation |
DSC_1506b.jpgSandhill Cranes continuing dispute |
DSC_1507b.jpgSandhill Cranes |
DSC_1551b.jpgThe cranes congregated on the newly-mowed grain fields. |
DSC_1552b.jpgAs we drove past the cranes, Mary spotted a Greater Roadrunner at the side of the road, but it quickly ran into the underbrush before we could get closer for a better photo. |
DSC_1558b.jpgAs we looked back across the road, more cranes continued to fly in to feed. |
DSC_1564b.jpgWe found a Lincoln's Sparrow in the grasses along the side of the road. |
DSC_1576b.jpgWhite-crowned Sparrow looking back over its shoulder at us |
DSC_1171b.jpgAround a corner where the North Loop turns back to the south, a marsh held dozens of Mallards |
IMG_1715b.jpgMallards lifting out of the grasses in front of the marsh; they were almost invisible in the grass. |
DSC_1599b.jpgSandhill Cranes and Mallards in a marsh at Bosque del Apache NWR |
DSC_1605b.jpgMarsh at Bosque del Apache NWR |
DSC_1619b.jpgAnother American Kestrel perched over the road |
DSC_1633b.jpgAmerican Crow |
DSC_1640b.jpgAmerican Crow |
DSC_1642b.jpgShiny feathers of American Crow |
DSC_1645b.jpgFemale Great-tailed Grackle bathing and preening |
DSC_1646b.jpgFemale Great-tailed Grackle |
DSC_1647b.jpgFemale Great-tailed Grackle |
DSC_1650b.jpgAnother flush of Mallards with more sticking their heads up out of the grass |
DSC_1651b.jpgCloser look at Mallards in flight with Sandhill Cranes in the background |
DSC_1670b.jpgDark buteo hawk in a tree at the side of the road. He never turned around to give us a better look. |
DSC_1683b.jpgAs we drove farther south toward the end of the North Loop, we came up to the lake where hundreds of Snow Geese were circling overhead. |
DSC_1694b.jpgClose-up of Snow Goose flying over our heads |
DSC_1695b.jpgSnow Goose in flight |
DSC_1697b.jpgHundreds of Snow Geese in flight |
DSC_1699b.jpgSnow Geese |
DSC_1707b.jpgSnow Geese overhead |
DSC_1709b.jpgLayers of Snow Geese |
DSC_1712b.jpgSnow Geese soared back and forth |
DSC_1716b.jpgSnow Geese |
DSC_1718b.jpgCriss-crossing Snow Geese |
20181128_142514b.jpgJan got close to the shore to get a photo of geese on the lake. |
IMG_20181128_142523b.jpgTaking a photo of Mary taking a photo of Jan taking a photo of geese |
IMG_20181128_142531b.jpgTwo-camera Jan |
IMG_20181128_142613_1b.jpgJan and Mary focus on the geese on the lake. |
DSC_1729b.jpgJan takes of photo of me taking a photo of her and Mary. |
DSC_1730b.jpgMary and Jan bundled up for the sunny, but cool day |
DSC_1731b.jpgMary and Jan having fun at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, NM |
DSC_1744b.jpgA few of the Snow Geese had darker markings. |
DSC_1746b.jpgAre those geese in the water giving the directions to the one in the air? |
DSC_1747b.jpgLanding Snow Goose |
DSC_1750b.jpgSnow Goose landing |
DSC_1751b.jpgAnother landing Snow Goose |
DSC_1752b.jpgAnd another |
DSC_1753b.jpgSnow Goose with flaps down |
DSC_1762b.jpgThere may be a couple of shorter-billed Ross's Geese in this group. |
DSC_1767b.jpgGeese alighting on a lake at Bosque del Apache NWR |
DSC_1775b.jpgGeese coming to the lake |
DSC_1778b.jpgAnother goose landing on the lake |
DSC_1780b.jpgSnow Geese and a couple of Ross's Geese in the lower left |
DSC_1781b.jpgSoft landing |
DSC_1805b.jpgSnow Goose landing |
DSC_1807b.jpgMass of Snow Geese taking off from the lake at Bosque del Apache NWR |
IMG_1726b.jpgMore geese swirling overhead |
IMG_1732b.jpgSnow Geese in flight |
IMG_1734b.jpg |
IMG_1738b.jpgPatterns of Snow Geese in flight |
IMG_1742b.jpgSteve points his camera to the sky |
IMG_1747b.jpgSnow Geese in flight |
IMG_1751b.jpgMore Snow Geese in flight |
IMG_1756b.jpgSnow Geese in flight high overhead |
DSC_1846b.jpgHundreds of Snow Geese in flight |
DSC_1791b.jpgV-formation |
DSC_1798b.jpgLayers of Snow Geese in flight going opposite directions |
DSC_1802b.jpgAre they forming a shark up there? |
DSC_1806b.jpgJan takes another shot. |
IMG_1761b.jpgMore Snow Geese in flight |
IMG_1765b.jpgSnow Geese in flight |
IMG_1766b.jpgSnow Geese in flight |
IMG_1771b.jpgSnow Geese in flight against a deep blue sky |
IMG_1778b.jpgBack down on the lake |
DSC_1175b.jpgNear the end of the loop we found a few Green-winged Teal. |
DSC_1179b.jpgThese look like Redheads, three males and a female. |
IMG_1783b.jpgWe stopped for lunch at the Owl Bar and Cafe, a place my uncle Wayne had told us about; he recommended the cheeseburgers; he used to stop here on his southern trucking route. |
20181128_173939b.jpgNight time photo of the Owl Bar and Cafe sign |
IMG_20181128_145635b.jpgThe Owl had been there many years and was filled with all sorts of memorabilia. |
IMG_20181128_145903b.jpgThe Owl owners collect the dollar bills customers tack on the walls of their booths and give the money to charities. |
IMG_20181128_145937b.jpgA look at the bar at the Owl Bar and Cafe, San Antonio, NM |
IMG_20181128_150010b.jpgInterior of Owl Bar and Cafe |
IMG_1790b.jpgAfter lunch we went back to this marshy area north of the refuge entrance where the Sandhill Cranes came to roost for the evening. |
IMG_1793b.jpgThe first cranes that flew in from the fields to roost landed far away from the road at the back of the marsh. |
IMG_1794b.jpgA few more Sandhill Cranes coming to roost at the marsh north of the refuge entrance. |
IMG_1799b.jpgSandhill Cranes roosting |
IMG_1803b.jpgSandhill Cranes |
IMG_1804b.jpgThere is a parking lot next to the marsh, which is next to the highway. Photographers stood or sat with their equipment lined up on the berm at the edge of the marsh. Jan got a front row seat. |
IMG_1810b.jpgAnd Steve decided to try a tripod with his camera. |
IMG_1812b.jpgJan had a camera on a tripod as well as a handheld one. |
IMG_1813b.jpgSteve and Jan waiting for the next group of cranes to fly in to roost |
DSC_1821b.jpgSteve took a break and went down the road to the refuge Visitor Center and found some House Finches in a tree in the parking lot. |
DSC_1823b.jpgMale House Finch |
DSC_1826b.jpgMale House Finch at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, NM |
DSC_1828b.jpgHouse Finch |
DSC_1830b.jpgHouse Finch |
DSC_1836b.jpgHouse Finches |
DSC_1837b.jpgAn interesting snag |
DSC_1838b.jpgSnag |
DSC_1839b.jpgSnag |
DSC_1857b.jpgAcross the highway from the Visitor Center, this Say's Phoebe perched on a twig. |
DSC_1858b.jpgSay's Phoebe |
DSC_1862b.jpgSay's Phoebe profile pose |
DSC_1872b.jpgSay's Phoebe |
DSC_1873b.jpgThe Say's Phoebe flew up to a sign post at the edge of the highway to look for insects. |
DSC_1875b.jpgSay's Phoebe looking like it has a crest in the breeze |
DSC_1878b.jpgSay's Phoebe |
DSC_1883b.jpgOn the way back to crane roost, I saw this dark buteo on the west side of the highway. |
DSC_1888b.jpgPer Bill D: this bird matches Sibley's adult intermediate morph Western RTHA. |
DSC_1889b.jpgBill D: The bicolored breast pattern, i.e., a relatively light rufous upper breast and darker lower breast and belly is consistent with RTHA, and the vent and undertail coverts are rufous rather than white. |
DSC_1890b.jpgBill D: In an adult Harris's Hawk, the undertail coverts and base of the tail should be white and contrast with a wide black terminal band. |
DSC_1893b.jpgBill D: the dark morph adult Swainson's Hawk should also have white undertail coverts and base of the tail and should contrast with a wide black terminal band |
DSC_1899b.jpgOne more of the hawk showing its tail |
DSC_1920b.jpgBack at the marsh, the Sandhill Cranes like this one started coming in to roost in greater numbers. |
DSC_1925b.jpgSome of the cranes seemed to be calling for their friends to join them. |
DSC_1955b.jpgSandhill Crane landing |
DSC_1971b.jpgSandhill Crane |
DSC_2007b.jpgAnother crane landing |
DSC_2022b.jpgDropping landing gear |
DSC_2026b.jpgMore cranes landing |
DSC_2045b.jpgMore wing action |
DSC_2057b.jpgSome of the cranes seemed to be establishing their position in the group after landing. |
DSC_2060b.jpgSandhill Cranes calling at or with each other? |
DSC_2062b.jpgAs the sun began to set, we started seeing some picturesque silhouettes of the cranes in the water. |
DSC_2064b.jpgSandhill Crane near sunset |
DSC_2065b.jpgSilhouetted Sandhill Crane |
DSC_2073b.jpgSandhill Crane |
DSC_2074b.jpgSunset on the marsh |
DSC_2076b.jpgSunset at the marsh |
DSC_2083b.jpgThe cranes continued to arrive, even as the sun was setting. |
DSC_2087b.jpgCranes settling in for the night |
DSC_2122b.jpgMore cranes in the evening sky |
DSC_2124b.jpgSandhill Crane in the sky |
DSC_2133b.jpgMore cranes coming in |
DSC_2138b.jpgEvening sky reflected on the marsh water |
DSC_2145b.jpgThe evening sky over Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge |
DSC_2148b.jpgCranes in the evening sky |
DSC_2149b.jpgMore crane silhouettes |
DSC_2152b.jpgCranes in the sky |
DSC_2164b.jpgDancing Sandhill Crane |
DSC_2181b.jpgMore cranes settling in |
DSC_2183b.jpgSome of the cranes continued to call after sunset. |
IMG_20181128_165256b.jpgAnd the photographers continued their vigil till the last light was gone. |
IMG_20181128_165317b.jpgMary and Jan among the stalwart photographers |
IMG_20181128_165335b.jpgMary bundled against the cold |
IMG_20181128_165342b.jpgJan continued to fire away. |
IMG_1835b.jpgLast light over the marsh |
IMG_1841b.jpgMarsh at sunset |
IMG_1849b.jpgThe clouds started showing us some color. |
IMG_1852b.jpgPink clouds in the sunset |
IMG_20181128_170704b.jpgSunset at Bosque del Apache |
IMG_20181128_170710b.jpgCranes continue to fly in to roost. |
IMG_20181128_182908b.jpgAfter the light was gone, we found a nice restaurant in Socorro to celebrate the day. |