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December 9, 2010

Coming in for a Landing at the Bosque del Apache







I went to the Bosque del Apache on Monday and Tuesday of this week. It was warmer than usual, about 30º F just before sunrise. It is one of my favorite places in the world. Saw bald eagles, a pheasant, a skunk, and lots of deer, in addition to the usual, and magnificent, cranes and geese. If you live in New Mexico, I recommend visiting. If you live elsewhere, I recommend visiting, too: I'll be happy to be your driver and tour guide.

5 comments:

  1. If you really, really want to see cranes, come to central Nebraska in late March, which is peak time for the sandhill crane spring migration. 400,000 cranes in a 60 to 70 mile narrow corridor, spending their nights on the Platte River and days foraging the nearby fields for waste corn and grubs. These are magnificent birds; spring migration is a grand time. Come and visit, John! I'll supply you a place to sleep, food, and if I've not gotten a job by then I'll be your local guide.

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  2. Not to downplay the Bosque del Apache - some day I hope to get there, and to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge in Texas where "our" flock of cranes winters. I've heard lots of good things about the Bosque, and the opportunity to see cranes in winter might be a driving factor if I can ever swing a trip that way. John - did I tell you about seeing a pair of cranes and their colt the summer of 2009? They were nesting in the median of the trans-Canada Highway in Manitoba, and I just happened to spot them as we were zipping past. Made the trip for me; I had never thought I'd see a crane colt at that age.

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  3. I have heard that about Nebraska, Karen. Would love to visit. Alas, by this late March I hope to be back in Deutschland. But if not, expect a visit on a weekend around then. Would love to go anywhere that birds congregate in the tens of thousands.

    I didn't know that young cranes were called colts. What a cool, vivid experience that must have been. Where do they hatch? That would be a sight to see.

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  4. By the way, everyone should check out Kevin's photography on KC Photo blog. Just click on his nom de blog, above, in the first comment.

    Thanks for the compliment, Kevin. I appreciate it.

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