| May Lee |
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Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Reserve
Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Reserve is one of the largest NWRs, 57,000 acres, situated in central New
Mexico straddling both side of Rio Grande for scores of miles. The main wildlife observation area was the 14.5
miles of road for driving and a number of trails. The first 7 miles is the Marsh Loop, It passed many shallow water
areas that water fowls enjoy. There is a ditch with water regulators around this observation area, so each field can
become flooded or dry up as designated. This makes management and use of this area much more effective.
The first visit was on 2/12/06, We were so thrilled, that we scheduled the second visit, on the last lag of our New
Mexico trip on 2/16/06 when we loop back from El Paso to Albuquerque, to see the Sandhill Cranes again.
In the Marsh loop, there are many shallow feeding ducks, but most of the time, their heads were in the water with
tail end sticking up. That makes photographing difficult. I finally learn to push the shutter halfway down and wait for
them to turn up to take a breath and shoot. For there's no time to refocus after they are up, The most common
ones are Pintails and Northern Shovelers.
Mexico straddling both side of Rio Grande for scores of miles. The main wildlife observation area was the 14.5
miles of road for driving and a number of trails. The first 7 miles is the Marsh Loop, It passed many shallow water
areas that water fowls enjoy. There is a ditch with water regulators around this observation area, so each field can
become flooded or dry up as designated. This makes management and use of this area much more effective.
The first visit was on 2/12/06, We were so thrilled, that we scheduled the second visit, on the last lag of our New
Mexico trip on 2/16/06 when we loop back from El Paso to Albuquerque, to see the Sandhill Cranes again.
In the Marsh loop, there are many shallow feeding ducks, but most of the time, their heads were in the water with
tail end sticking up. That makes photographing difficult. I finally learn to push the shutter halfway down and wait for
them to turn up to take a breath and shoot. For there's no time to refocus after they are up, The most common
ones are Pintails and Northern Shovelers.
Northern Shoveler
has a black,long and
turned-down beak,
resembles a shovel,
hence the name.
has a black,long and
turned-down beak,
resembles a shovel,
hence the name.
Pintails have thin long
pointed tails and the
white of the chest
extend up to back of
eyes.
pointed tails and the
white of the chest
extend up to back of
eyes.
Pintail. Pintails find
new mates every
winter and breeds in
the female's breeding
ground. So the
species' gene pool is
constantly mixing and
very steady. Pintails
are present in the
north hemisphere.
new mates every
winter and breeds in
the female's breeding
ground. So the
species' gene pool is
constantly mixing and
very steady. Pintails
are present in the
north hemisphere.
A blur of black swept
across in front of the
car, It was the Road
Runner. My, what big
eyes he has.
across in front of the
car, It was the Road
Runner. My, what big
eyes he has.
A pheasant showed up.
He lost his white neck
bend from the breeding
with local variety.
He lost his white neck
bend from the breeding
with local variety.
The second half of the tour is Farm Loop. Bosque Del Apache NWR let the farmers plant and harvest a crop of alfalfa,
followed by a crop of corn for the cranes and geese. As the Crane and geese arrive in the fall, they will knock down
one row of corn in each of the five fields everyday to feed them. The birds are afraid of the Coyotes, that might hide in
corn bushes, so they will not feed in the corn bushes. They can take off immediately in the open field. A row a day will
ensure the corn will last till the end of winter. With this feeding program allow the birds to have a restful and well fed
winter to store enough energy for the next breeding season. From 17 pairs of sandhill cranes in 1941 the population is
16,000 pairs in the USA now. In Bosque the highest weekly crane count was 12,000 pairs., which coincided with our
first visit.
followed by a crop of corn for the cranes and geese. As the Crane and geese arrive in the fall, they will knock down
one row of corn in each of the five fields everyday to feed them. The birds are afraid of the Coyotes, that might hide in
corn bushes, so they will not feed in the corn bushes. They can take off immediately in the open field. A row a day will
ensure the corn will last till the end of winter. With this feeding program allow the birds to have a restful and well fed
winter to store enough energy for the next breeding season. From 17 pairs of sandhill cranes in 1941 the population is
16,000 pairs in the USA now. In Bosque the highest weekly crane count was 12,000 pairs., which coincided with our
first visit.
Row a Day provide
feed all winter long.
feed all winter long.
It is so relaxing to see
the Sandhill Cranes fly
with the back drop of
beautiful Chubadera
mountains. The crowd
of Sandhill Crane are
sharing the field with
snow geese.
the Sandhill Cranes fly
with the back drop of
beautiful Chubadera
mountains. The crowd
of Sandhill Crane are
sharing the field with
snow geese.
The size of the red crown can be controlled by
several muscles. By changing the crown size, a
crane can communicate its level of aggressive
motivation.
several muscles. By changing the crown size, a
crane can communicate its level of aggressive
motivation.
Besides grains, Sandhills digs for worms in the
field. Here they are, having a good meal.
field. Here they are, having a good meal.
Isn't it beautiful? Completely stretched out from head
to toe, flying hours on end during migration.
But it is a beautiful sight to behold.
to toe, flying hours on end during migration.
But it is a beautiful sight to behold.
Sandhill Cranes migrate with their yearlings. So group
of three is often seen. They pair up about three and
breed at 7. The life expectancy is 20 Years.
of three is often seen. They pair up about three and
breed at 7. The life expectancy is 20 Years.
On the way south, we
met this family of Mule
Deer finishing a drink in
the ditch. The bucks
stay behind the young
and the doe. The two
bucks guards the family
carefully.
met this family of Mule
Deer finishing a drink in
the ditch. The bucks
stay behind the young
and the doe. The two
bucks guards the family
carefully.
The cranes and geese
fly south to a shallow
pond or flooded field
where they can safely
roost without the threat
of coyotes.
fly south to a shallow
pond or flooded field
where they can safely
roost without the threat
of coyotes.
Sandhill Crane and
Snow Geese share the
pond but not mixed.
Snow Geese share the
pond but not mixed.
Groups of Sandhill
Cranes continue to land
in this pond. This is
famous sight called
Fly-In. In a couple hours
the number of cranes
can reach to 10,000.
Cranes continue to land
in this pond. This is
famous sight called
Fly-In. In a couple hours
the number of cranes
can reach to 10,000.
Settle in for the night.
Although the picture
looks peaceful. The
noise level is quite high.
The cranes socialize at
this rare moment.
Although the picture
looks peaceful. The
noise level is quite high.
The cranes socialize at
this rare moment.
Ring-necked Duck is
another frequent visitor
of the pond.
another frequent visitor
of the pond.
This juvenile Bald Eagle
did not mind people under
pointing at him. He hasn't
learn to be afraid of
human, The same was
observed in BC Canada.
did not mind people under
pointing at him. He hasn't
learn to be afraid of
human, The same was
observed in BC Canada.
The last stop of marsh
loop is a roost of
Cormorants, Three
species of cormorants
live here. When we
drove by, they are
asleep, So we can't tell.
loop is a roost of
Cormorants, Three
species of cormorants
live here. When we
drove by, they are
asleep, So we can't tell.
In the late afternoon the
ducks in the reserve
starts to fly north, the
Snow Geese and
Sandhill Cranes fly
south in groups. So we
followed then along the
drive.
ducks in the reserve
starts to fly north, the
Snow Geese and
Sandhill Cranes fly
south in groups. So we
followed then along the
drive.
