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Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
"Bosque is the name for areas of gallery forest found along the riparian flood plains of stream and river banks in the southwestern United States. It derives its name from the Spanish word for woodlands. In the predominantly arid or semi-arid southwestern United States, the bosque is an oasis-like ribbon of green vegetation, often canopied, that only exists near rivers, streams, or other water courses. The most notable bosque is a 200 miles-long ecosystem along the middle Rio Grande in New Mexico that extends from Santa Fe past Socorro including the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. The five most common trees in the bosque habitat are generally smaller species which rarely exceed 10 meters, such as mesquite. Larger cottonwood trees are also common in some areas. Because there is only a single canopy layer and because the tree species found in the bosque are generally deciduous, a wide variety of shrubs, grasses, and other understory vegetation is also supported. Desert hackberry, blue palo verde, graythorn, Mexican elder, virgin's bower and Indian root all flourish in the bosque. The habitat also supports a large variety of lichens. For a semi-arid region, there is extraordinary biodiversity at the interface of the bosque and surrounding desert ecosystems." Definitions.net
A family of Sandhill Cranes at sunset. They are doing a version of their bonding dance to reinforce the family.
Territorial dispute!"
These two Northern Harriers were getting into an aerial combat as the one intruded on the other's territory at Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife refuge. They put on quite a show! December 30 2024.
A large flock of blackbirds quickly move through, then take over the field where Sandhill Cranes were feeding in Bosque del Apache of New Mexico.
The third morning we were at Bosque, we sighted a bobcat again, very near the first sighting (across the road). Bet it was one of the two we sighted at sunset the first day. This time we were able to contact others in our group so several people got to photograph this wonderful animal.
Early morning light casts a warm glow over the Chupadera Mountains and the late autumn foliage as sandhill cranes fly over the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.
Happy Wednesday! Thanks, as always, for stopping by and for your kind comments, awards and faves -- I appreciate them all.
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