A couple of weekends ago Bosque Bill and I went to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Winter is the usual time to visit the refuge because of the many Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese that winter there. Because birding has been pretty slow in northern New Mexico lately, we decided to travel to Bosque del Apache to see if there were any interesting birds.
It was a gorgeous early spring day. The light was beautiful.
A beautiful day at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
At one pond along the Marsh Loop we saw several Black-necked Stilts wading and feeding.
Black-necked Stilts
In another pond on the Marsh Loop we saw Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants.
Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants.
Neotropic Cormorants.
Juvenile Neotropic Cormorant;
There were quite a few Painted Turtles sunning themselves in the pond where we saw the cormorants.
Painted Turtles.
We saw Redheads in still another pond on the Marsh Loop …
Males and female Redhead
… and Cinnamon Teal in the same pond.
Male and female Cinnamon Teal.
There was a Pied-billed Grebe in that pond too.
Pied-billed Grebe.
As we continued around the Marsh Loop, we saw a pretty Say’s Phoebe in a New Mexico olive tree.
Say's Phoebe.
A Red-tailed Hawk flew through the cottonwoods.
Red-tailed Hawk.
There were many Northern Shovelers in the Farm Loop pond …
Male and female Northern Shovelers.
… and there were many more Cinnamon Teal in the Farm Loop pond as well.
Cinnamon Teal
We had been told at the Visitors’ Center that the Sandhill Cranes had left for the year, and so we were surprised to see several hundred Lesser Sandhill Cranes at the Crane Pools as we left the refuge.
Lesser Sandhill Cranes fly in at sunset.
We went to Bosque del Apache with few expectations, and we had a lovely time. The green chile cheeseburgers that we had for lunch at the Buckhorn Saloon were outstanding too!
Awesome captures Linda!
Lovely assortment:)
Linda, a very nice collection of photos. I envy you living so close to the Bosque. I love that Red-tailed Hawk image. Very nice.
How cool! Bosque del Apache is certainly on my bucket list.
Thanks Steve, Cynthia, Bob and Robert. Bosque del Apache is a pretty wonderful place at any time of year. I am very fortunate to live nearby. It should be on everyone’s bucket list. Come to visit!
Gosh, I would love to visit Bosque del Apache. So many beautiful birds! Amazing Red-tailed Hawk photograph. Super post!
You really should come in winter Julie. It’s a fabulous place to visit then! Thanks for the compliment on the Red-tailed Hawk photo.
Oh Linda – these are great photographs, what a special day you had, and like the others – that red-tail in flight image is fabulous. Thanks for sharing your day with so many birding fans. I for one – love these special pictures you give us.
Oh what a wonderful day at the wildlife refuge!
Thanks Barbara and Debbie. Bosque del Apache is truly a magical place. I always feel at peace there. Happy that you like the photos. I’m very happy to share them.