Bosque del Apache – New Mexico, USA

About

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is located in San Antonio, New Mexico. This refuge is proud to be a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System run by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The Chupadera and San Pascual Mountains and Rio Grande Valley surround the roughly 58,000-acre refuge. This scenery provides a perfect backdrop for bird photography. This site was created in 1939 to provide an essential landing spot for birds during migration. Fall migration is a very popular time to see Sandhill Cranes spread their wings. Some of the best bird photography is taken at the festival of the cranes, held in late November when big groups of cranes start their descent into the refuge. 15,000 cranes spend the winter in the refuge. They are not the only flying birds seen during migration, Snow Geese can be seen in numbers as large as 50,000. Since 1981, there have been over 374 different species identified at the refuge. The area’s wetland is very attractive for ducks, shorebirds, and birds of prey. The diversity of bird species at this refuge is what makes bird photography so popular year-round. You can find most bird photographers, at sunrise or sunset, crammed on the main pool’s observation deck waiting for the next launch of geese or cranes. These dramatic photos are a great representation of the land’s beauty. To get the best shot, it is recommended by the Cornell Lab, to learn the behavior of the species you want to capture. It is commonly known that the geese and cranes have distinct daily routines and you will need to be in the right spot in order to get that great shot. Owen visited Bosque Del Apache in November 2006 and May 2011.