Just returned from a few days at Bosque . The weather in the mornings ranged from 11 F to 24F ambient temperature . Very cold for this southerner. I think my brain froze along with my hands considering some of the mistakes I made trying to take pictures .
Each day graced us with new sights, sounds and colors.
Day 1, we arrived at the reserve around 3:00 PM and stayed a bit past sunset. There were no birds in the crane pond along the highway . According to one of the rangers, the pond was drying out due to the drought. Corn crops failed and said they were feeding the birds wheat . Most of the sandhill cranes were at Bernardo despite there being little water at Bernardo. Rangers thought the Sandies were roosting along the Rio Grande.
Despite the fewer number of birds at Bosque , it was still a wonderful trip .
Below are shots as day 1 progressed.
Thank you for looking and I do hope you enjoy. Pictures really don't do the colors and the magical feel of Bosque justice.
Birdie
1. Kestrel a good way to start the afternoon
2. Followed by this gorgeous Red tailed Hawk
3 . Sandies flying in around sunset
4. Snow Geese against the gorgeous pink skies at sunset
5. Coming in to roost for the night at the flight deck
6. Sandies coming in also against those magical skies
7. Not dust spots in the sky, but red winged black birds
8. Day 1 ends with the skies turning this gorgeous orange.
Very nice Roberta, you got a great assortment of subjects and backgrounds. Love the pink sky with the snow birds but the last one is stunning that orange sky. Always a challenge to keep the hands and feet warm in the cold weather. You think you're nice and warm walking around but as soon as you stand still for a while the cold gets you. I couldn't tell you how many different pairs of gloves and mitts I have collected for outdoor photography.
Your images are all just amazing. Interesting to hear that the Crane Pond is being dried up when it had plenty of water in it when I was there, if fact they were pumping water also. Glad you found birds to shoot Birdie, it is an amazing place for sure. Did you get to the pond on the South end of Bernardo, that can be a very productive place to shoot in the evenings?
Your processing is superb and I look forward to seeing more from you.
A great looking set Roberta. It's a treat for me to see the Kestrel as they have been hiding from me this year. Lovely image of the red tailed hawk. The pairs of cranes and snow geese are beauties. All those black birds must make a racket. Lovely sunset ending.
psharvic wrote:
Well done, Birdie. The sunset pink was a big plus. Looking forward to seeing more.
Thank you very much Vic
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Dave_E wrote:
Very nice Roberta, you got a great assortment of subjects and backgrounds. Love the pink sky with the snow birds but the last one is stunning that orange sky. Always a challenge to keep the hands and feet warm in the cold weather. You think you're nice and warm walking around but as soon as you stand still for a while the cold gets you. I couldn't tell you how many different pairs of gloves and mitts I have collected for outdoor photography.
Dave
Much appreciated Dave. Yep, I have spent a lot of money on gloves and none seem to do the job .
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louie champan wrote:
Your images are all just amazing. Interesting to hear that the Crane Pond is being dried up when it had plenty of water in it when I was there, if fact they were pumping water also. Glad you found birds to shoot Birdie, it is an amazing place for sure. Did you get to the pond on the South end of Bernardo, that can be a very productive place to shoot in the evenings?
Your processing is superb and I look forward to seeing more from you.
Thanks so much Louie. Did make it one morning to the pond at Bernardo. So very cold that morning ambient temp was 11 have no idea with wind chill what it was. I get cold even now just thinking about it.
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morris wrote:
A great looking set Roberta. It's a treat for me to see the Kestrel as they have been hiding from me this year. Lovely image of the red tailed hawk. The pairs of cranes and snow geese are beauties. All those black birds must make a racket. Lovely sunset ending.
I'm looking forward to seeing the next days.
Morris
Thanks Morris. Some days were better than others, but I still love going to Bosque.
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johnohio wrote:
Beautifully done. Can't wait to see more !
You sure know how to capture the feel of a location. That is a pretty looking Kestrel and a great RTH shot! Beauty is in your soft light flight images, they really convey a wonderful feeling. The extreme weather sure has been changing things, hope all comes together in the following posts you have from Bosque
A.Y. wrote:
BEAUTIFUL!
Thank you A.Y.
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Ted ellis wrote:
Beautiful series Birdie.
Much appreciated Ted, thank you.
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davidrhorer wrote:
Enjoyed all but especially the flight shots. A worthwhile trip.
Thanks so much Dave
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sbeme wrote:
These are gorgeous images, Birdie. Seems more than worth the chill.
1,4 and 6 are especially striking but each is a winner.
Scott
Scott, appreciate the kind words. I am still cold
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Bobg657 wrote:
Wonderful shots Birdie, post more soon!
Bob
Thanks so much Bob .
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Karl Witt wrote:
You sure know how to capture the feel of a location. That is a pretty looking Kestrel and a great RTH shot! Beauty is in your soft light flight images, they really convey a wonderful feeling. The extreme weather sure has been changing things, hope all comes together in the following posts you have from Bosque
Karl
Thank you Karl. Not sure it all comes together
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IndyFab wrote:
Wonderful set Birdie, #1 & 2 nicely composed, and like the light on #3 !!
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