Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico

Another great trip out to Bosque over Thanksgiving this year. 

Bosque del Apache is a wildlife refuge located just outside of Socorro, New Mexico.  I went last year and loved it, had to go again this year.

We'd start at the flight deck in the morning - hoping to be part of the morning fly-out.  Then we'd move on to the crane pond and watch the Sandhill Cranes.  It really is a haven for photographers.

I was fortunate enough to see a coyote this time.  This shot really made my day.

Even the landscape at Bosque is beautiful. 

I love the Red Winged Blackbirds!  They are so beautiful, and I love to see the flash of red when they tip their wings.  It was a great trip.  It is a truly amazing natural experience.

From the Flight Deck, Bosque del Apache, NM

This is the flight deck at Bosque del Apache Wildlife Reserve in Socorro, New Mexico. Morning flyouts are an amazing experience.  Truly a performance of nature that leaves a lasting impression.

Bosque del Apache - Snow Geese

The highlight of being at Bosque is being there for the morning fly out.  Just before sunrise, 40,000 snow geese fly overhead.  It was an amazing experience!  All the photographers are jostling for a good position.  You can see them coming, you hear the noisy sounds of honking and wings whirring, they fly overhead, and all of a sudden it's over.  But it really is an amazing natural experience. 

During the day, if your timing is right, you can get some of the experience again.  Not quite the same, but spectacular in it's own right.

At times, the sky is filled with geese and all the cameras are clicking.  Mine was too!

Amidst all the honking and flying, I found Bosque to be a peaceful, natural place and I can see why it is such a draw for photographers.  It really was nature's playground.

Bosque del Apache - Red Winged Blackbirds

While the snow geese are the attraction for most photographers, my heart fell for the Red Winged Blackbirds.

When they tip their wings just right, you can see a flash of red.  It is very difficult to get because you only have a split second.  But I did manage to get a few red flashes.  They may be hard to see here, but when you blow them up they are beautiful. 

It just looks like a pretty black cloud.  Amazing how they move, all together weaving in and out of everything.

Looks like black clouds, until they tip their wings, then you see the splashes of red. A beautiful display.

Bosque del Apache - Sandhill Cranes

The Sandhill Cranes are definitely one of the main attractions to Bosque. 

They are mostly a dull gray color, but they have a red cap that adds a bit of color.

We found them on the Crane Pond in the morning, after the fly out.  Nice, golden light on them.

When they fly the tips of their wings curl up.

Bosque del Apache - the deer

Amidst all the winged wildlife, Bosque del Apache is also home to a few deer.

I think these are just mule deer, but it was fun to see them just the same.

We had three sightings throughout the weekend.