View allAll Photos Tagged BosquedelApacheNWR
It seemed like maybe ten minutes but when Mrs M looked at her watch, we'd been there for an hour. There's something timeless about watching these birds fly in, and with the mountains as a backdrop, it's even better. And in the quiet time between groups, there was interaction between the birds to watch, always somebody not getting along with somebody else and showing it in dramatic style.
I shot a lot of clips, and when I went back to weed out the culls, it was harder than I thought. So I'm posting a bunch. Each is a little different. If you could sum all of the video clips into one, it would represent what you'd see as each group flew in, and there were many groups. I hope that makes sense!
I think my favorite is cranes64, though cranes58 has a perfect triple landing and 68 has some nice reflections and 69 has a LOT of birds coming in, that was towards the end and they were really piling in before dark...
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A lot of the photographers we see at Bosque del Apache show up with monster lenses that undoubtedly cost more than our car. They're all trying to get that killer shot, and up until last year, so was I. I finally figured out that I'd never get it with the point-and-shoot camera and no tripod so I started taking fewer photos and enjoying the birds more. I was getting some decent stills but I wasn't bringing the experience home. On this visit, a little light bulb went on in my head - a short video clip might work better. I don't think we've ever seen a video camera in use there, although we've certainly seen video from there on CBS's "Sunday Morning".
Anyway, here are a couple of clips. I think they do a much better job than my stills, and there's SOUND. So important!
Snow Geese blasting off from Bosque Del Apache back in 2010. From my shooting perspective, they are flying laterally, which means the wind is coming from the left at the time. The noise was deafening. Nothing like 15,000 geese flying over your head to make your day. Wow....I've got to go back there this November.
Meanwhile, the Sandhill Cranes are staying put, probably saying to themselves "What the....".
I truly appreciate comments, criticisms, invites and faves. Thanks for viewing and have a wonderful weekend.
With the sun setting, the birds are coming in heavier, meeting up to talk about where the best food is and who's got the best winter plumage.
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I said to myself on the way into Bosque del Apache that this time I would LOOK at the birds and NOT take pictures.
Yeah, right.
Once the fly-in gets underway the camera comes out and doesn't get put away again until dark.
So once again, there are lots of photos to wade through. But modern technology can be useful and in this case looking at pictures on flickr is better than sitting through one of your uncle's endless slide shows, you can just skip over the uninteresting bits. Skip away :^)
December 26, 2012 - Getting away for the holidays, and interrupting the posting of the Thanksgiving photos, which interrupted the posting of the summer photos. It's going to be a long Winter, maybe I'll catch up...
Rufous-necked Wood-rail at Bosque del Apache NWR, Socorro Co., NM, 130710. Aramides axillaris. Gruiformes: Rallidae
I always thought Merlins hunted from the air but this one flew near me on the ground and disappeared into the grasses. They must go wherever it is easiest for them to find food.
It seemed like maybe ten minutes but when Mrs M looked at her watch, we'd been there for an hour. There's something timeless about watching these birds fly in, and with the mountains as a backdrop, it's even better. And in the quiet time between groups, there was interaction between the birds to watch, always somebody not getting along with somebody else and showing it in dramatic style.
I shot a lot of clips, and when I went back to weed out the culls, it was harder than I thought. So I'm posting a bunch. Each is a little different. If you could sum all of the video clips into one, it would represent what you'd see as each group flew in, and there were many groups. I hope that makes sense!
I think my favorite is cranes64, though cranes58 has a perfect triple landing and 68 has some nice reflections and 69 has a LOT of birds coming in, that was towards the end and they were really piling in before dark. Crank up the sound for this one!
_________________________________________________________________________________
A lot of the photographers we see at Bosque del Apache show up with monster lenses that undoubtedly cost more than our car. They're all trying to get that killer shot, and up until last year, so was I. I finally figured out that I'd never get it with the point-and-shoot camera and no tripod so I started taking fewer photos and enjoying the birds more. I was getting some decent stills but I wasn't bringing the experience home. On this visit, a little light bulb went on in my head - a short video clip might work better. I don't think we've ever seen a video camera in use there, although we've certainly seen video from there on CBS's "Sunday Morning".
Anyway, here are a couple of clips. I think they do a much better job than my stills, and there's SOUND. So important!
All of the Snow geese above that appear mottled in coloration are juveniles. The sole adult in the image is snow white in color. The snow white adults are quite difficult to tell apart but the mottled in appearance juveniles appear to have their own distinct pattern perhaps best seen on the face as their plumage evolves.
Oft times you have to work with the lighting you are given. I was pleased with how this came out despite the back-lit situation.
When not at the Flightdeck for fly-ins and fly-outs, we toured the North and South Loops. When we were there the first week of December 2021, the North Tour Loop Extension was open.
Neck and neck!
Third in a series of Sandhill cranes in seemingly synchronized flight, captured at Bosque Del Apache NWR in New Mexico. This time with wings up.
I value and appreciate comments, criticisms, invites, and faves. Thank you for viewing.
Canon 7D; ISO 400; 500 mm f/4L IS; 1/1000 sec. @ f/10. Back-button focusing.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in central New Mexico. Socorro County, New Mexico, USA.
Found in this vicinity: 33.76876N 106.90369W.
The common raven doesn't seem to get enough respect. They are large stocky birds with a razor like bill. Widely accepted as one of the most intelligent birds in the world, these adaptable creatures are have accompanied humans throughout history. They are common in human folklore, and have been representative of wisdom, and evil omens. Scientific studies have shown that they have the ability to solve ever more complicated problem with which they are presented. Not only have they been close followers of humans, but can frequently be seen in close proximity to bald eagles. Edgar Allan Poe used the raven in his short story of the same name, published in 1845. This photo was taken at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio, New Mexico. I inquired of the bird, would medicine in America ever be the same again? To which he replied, "nevermore!"
This glossy Ibis is about to dine on his catch of bullfrog tadpole. He was not willing to share and ran off with his catch.
It seemed like maybe ten minutes but when Mrs M looked at her watch, we'd been there for an hour. There's something timeless about watching these birds fly in, and with the mountains as a backdrop, it's even better. And in the quiet time between groups, there was interaction between the birds to watch, always somebody not getting along with somebody else and showing it in dramatic style.
I shot a lot of clips, and when I went back to weed out the culls, it was harder than I thought. So I'm posting a bunch. Each is a little different. If you could sum all of the video clips into one, it would represent what you'd see as each group flew in, and there were many groups. I hope that makes sense!
I think my favorite is cranes64, though cranes58 has a perfect triple landing and 68 has some nice reflections and 69 has a LOT of birds coming in, that was towards the end and they were really piling in before dark...
_________________________________________________________________________________
A lot of the photographers we see at Bosque del Apache show up with monster lenses that undoubtedly cost more than our car. They're all trying to get that killer shot, and up until last year, so was I. I finally figured out that I'd never get it with the point-and-shoot camera and no tripod so I started taking fewer photos and enjoying the birds more. I was getting some decent stills but I wasn't bringing the experience home. On this visit, a little light bulb went on in my head - a short video clip might work better. I don't think we've ever seen a video camera in use there, although we've certainly seen video from there on CBS's "Sunday Morning".
Anyway, here are a couple of clips. I think they do a much better job than my stills, and there's SOUND. So important!
It seemed like maybe ten minutes but when Mrs M looked at her watch, we'd been there for an hour. There's something timeless about watching these birds fly in, and with the mountains as a backdrop, it's even better. And in the quiet time between groups, there was interaction between the birds to watch, always somebody not getting along with somebody else and showing it in dramatic style.
I shot a lot of clips, and when I went back to weed out the culls, it was harder than I thought. So I'm posting a bunch. Each is a little different. If you could sum all of the video clips into one, it would represent what you'd see as each group flew in, and there were many groups. I hope that makes sense!
I think my favorite is cranes64, though cranes58 has a perfect triple landing and 68 has some nice reflections and 69 has a LOT of birds coming in, that was towards the end and they were really piling in before dark...
_________________________________________________________________________________
A lot of the photographers we see at Bosque del Apache show up with monster lenses that undoubtedly cost more than our car. They're all trying to get that killer shot, and up until last year, so was I. I finally figured out that I'd never get it with the point-and-shoot camera and no tripod so I started taking fewer photos and enjoying the birds more. I was getting some decent stills but I wasn't bringing the experience home. On this visit, a little light bulb went on in my head - a short video clip might work better. I don't think we've ever seen a video camera in use there, although we've certainly seen video from there on CBS's "Sunday Morning".
Anyway, here are a couple of clips. I think they do a much better job than my stills, and there's SOUND. So important!
This is a frame from a video clip captured by my wife that shows me capturing video on my Sony RX100VA.
The evening fly-in ramping up - lots of birds in for the night, LOTS more on the way.
___________________________________________________________________________
I said to myself on the way into Bosque del Apache that this time I would LOOK at the birds and NOT take pictures.
Yeah, right.
Once the fly-in gets underway the camera comes out and doesn't get put away again until dark.
So once again, there are lots of photos to wade through. But modern technology can be useful and in this case looking at pictures on flickr is better than sitting through one of your uncle's endless slide shows, you can just skip over the uninteresting bits. Skip away :^)
December 26, 2012 - Getting away for the holidays, and interrupting the posting of the Thanksgiving photos, which interrupted the posting of the summer photos. It's going to be a long Winter, maybe I'll catch up...
Yeah I messed with it, just a wee bit :^)
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A highlight of a winter visit to Socorro is the return of the Sandhill Cranes and Light Geese to the wildlife management areas on the Rio Grande, most notably the Bosque del Apache NWR.
Every evening the birds return from the feeding grounds and flock together in protective manmade ponds. Known as the "fly-in", it's truly a spectacle as the elegant birds drift in in groups of varying numbers.
We try to make it down there at least once a year if we can.
I'm taking a break from posting the summer photos. At the rate I'm going, it's gonna take the rest of the year to get 'em done anyway, so why not take a break and post something timely?
This is a series from a weekend getaway to Socorro.
in Bosque del Apache, where even a lowly marsh looks good.
I said to myself on the way into Bosque del Apache that this time I would LOOK at the birds and NOT take pictures. Yeah, right.
So once again, there are lots of photos to wade through. But modern technology can be wonderful and in htis case looking at pictures on flickr is better than sitting through one of your uncle's endless slide shows, you can just skip over the uninteresting bits. Skip away :^)
___________________________________________________________________________
December 26, 2012 - Getting away for the holidays, and interrupting the posting of the Thanksgiving photos, which interrupted the posting of the summer photos. It's going to be a long Winter, maybe I'll catch up...