Not Bosque because there are very few Sandhill Cranes here. We've spent 2 half days exploring the refuge. We've seen a few small family groups and a flock of maybe 200 near the Coyote Deck. The roost pond as you travel towards the Visitor Center was devoid of Cranes and photographers at peak "fly out" and "fly in" times. The good news is that the nearby Bernardo/Ladd Gordon Refuge is loaded with Cranes. The difference seems to be Gordon has corn and BdA doesn't. The bad news is that getting good backgrounds and light are more of a challenge at Gordon. Here are a few that have worked out; thanks for looking.
Nicely done with that last shot being a real winner. Is that snow on the background hills? I spent a week there the second week in December and had the same experience with Bosque. It's still a magically place but they better figure out why they can't plant corn, because every year gets a bit worst for the number of birds, etc.
louie champan wrote:
Nicely done with that last shot being a real winner. Is that snow on the background hills? I spent a week there the second week in December and had the same experience with Bosque. It's still a magically place but they better figure out why they can't plant corn, because every year gets a bit worst for the number of birds, etc.
Thanks Louie. Yes, that's snow. Agree, this is our 5th time here in 10 years; the decline in birds is disappointing. I'm wondering if water allotment and draught have something to do with the lack of corn.
Hola Vic, great set! Yeah, the #'s at Bernie's have made it my destination of choice over
BdA for the last 7 years or so. 35 mi vs 80 from my driveway had nothing to do with it
Excellent set of images! My favorite is the last one. Beautiful.
I have been at Bosque del Apache for the past four days and have three more to go. Fortunately Louie Champan told me about Bernardo, so I have been there too.
I was told by a volunteer at the Visitors Center that Bosque has planted corn but the crops are failing because they are planting native corn. Bernardo is planting genetically modified corn and it is producing good crops. The birds go where the corn is available. Don't know if the volunteer was supposed to be giving out the information.
Bosque and Bernardo are very different sites. Bernardo has lots more geese and cranes that are pretty close, and they are active. I'm getting some good shots. As you pointed out there are lots of problems in the backgrounds (power lines, buildings, cars) so you have to be careful composing. Bosque has much more space, better settings for compositions, and more variety in what you see. In addition to the geese, cranes and ducks, I am seeing hawks, harriers, kestrels, wild turkeys, and Javelina, which is a first for me. I like both sites, but it would be good if the numbers at Bosque would return to historical levels.
#3 is sweet
Last is rather magical and peaceful.
