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Bosque del Apache NWR | Snow Geese Migration, NM

Visit Bosque del Apache NWR between mid-December and mid-February and you will witness a small part of the amazing snow geese migration. In addition to the over 20,000 snow geese, you will see almost the same number of sandhill cranes and ducks. You'll also see plenty of bald eagles, hawks, redwing blackbirds, and lots of other species. Just take a look at the images below. See the FAQ for more details.
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It's a real treat to spend a few hours at one of the populated ponds and watch the birds come and go.

3-flying-snowgeese
You don't see a bald eagle finishing off a goose carcas every day. Bald eagles are usually fish eaters, but there aren't too many fish in the middle of New Mexico.

bald-eagle-kill
The same eagle gets ready to return to his favorite perch in the main pond.

bald-eagle-launch

Pair of bald eagles on the main pond.

bald-eagle-pair
Sunrises at Bosque del Apache can be quite spectacular whether you experience a liftoff or not. Here a romantic couple enjoys the orange and yellow morning sky.

bald-eagle-sunrise
The sign in the rangers station gives count estimates. I'm surprised by the number of significant figures they use. For example, saying 21452 as opposed to 21400 implies a high decree of precision in their duck tallies. To get the counts, they fly over the area and take pictures. Then they count the birds in the pictures.

bird-count-sign

A black crowned night heron thinks it's hiding in the branches of the same pond the cormorants seem to enjoy. To get to this pond, simply drive straight from the main entrance to the T intersection and it's on your right.

black-crowned-night-heron
Another pair of bald eagles on a different trip. Or is it the same pair?

bosque-bald-eagles
A bushtit checks the reeds for food. This little guy was part of a wandering group of about 10.

bushtit

One small pond seems to be inhabited a lot by cormorants. They weren't there in December, but they were there in February.

cormorant-tree
A coyote heads up a path looking for his next meal.

coyote
Sandhill cranes will pretty much fly right over your head.

flying-sandhill-crane1

Sandhill crane in flight.

flying-sandhill-crane2
A group of snadhill cranes take off from one of the ponds.

flying-sandhill-cranes1
Sandhill cranes in flight.

flying-sandhill-cranes2

The snow geese don't always have to leave at the same time. Sometimes they leave in clumps.

flying-snowgeese-clump1
All that open sky and they still huddle together as if surrounded by thousands.

flying-snowgeese-clump2
Snow geese will pretty much fly right over your head.

flying-snowgeese-clump3

Snow geese head towards the corn fields for some food.

flying-snowgeese-clump4
A pair of snow geese lift off together.

flying-snowgeese-pair
If it's cold enough the ponds may freeze over. Despite the chilly appearance, it really wasn't that cold when the sun was shining.

frozen-bosque-pond

A cattail reed juts from a frozen pond.

frozen-reed
A great blue heron poses for tens of photographers at a small pond right by the entrance.

great-blue-heron
A hawk overlooks one of the ponds. Despite the dreary, dormant plants in winter, the area is quite colorful and has excellent lighting for photography.

hawk-scenery

A young roadrunner on the side of the road was completely unphased when our car pulled up right next to him.

juvenile-roadrunner
An American kestrel looks for a meal.

kestrel
A lesser yellowlegs relaxes in one of the ditches.

lesser-yellowlegs

A loggerhead shrike perches in a tree by the main pond.

loggerhead-shrike
A northern harrier looks scans the area for food.

northern-harrier
Northern shovelers are fairly common at the refuge.

northern-shoveler

I think this is a nuthatch which we found right outside the ranger station.

nuthatch
Pintails are fairly common at the refuge.

pintail-duck
A pair of sandhill cranes argue about something.

quarreling-sandhill-cranes

This redtail hawk was so unconcerned about my presence that he let me get almost right under him. I couldn't get any closer without climbing the tree.

redtail-hawk1
Redwing blackbirds are quite prevalent at the refuge. They are also quite skittish, and I'm therfore not sure how I ever got this picture.

redwing-blackbird
We always see one or two ringnecked pheasants when we visit the refuge. But you've really got to be on the lookout. We've always seen them on the eastern road on the south loop. When you go, don't even bother using the accelerator of the car - just let the car drive at idle speed so that you can spend time scanning the brush.

ring-necked-pheasant1

The same ringnecked pheasant. If you can do it without spooking the animals, I'd recommend turning off the car when taking a picture. That way the vibrations of the engine don't translate to a shaky camera.

ring-necked-pheasant2
A different roadrunner investigates us in our vehicle.

roadrunner


roadrunner2

Some sandhill cranes preen themselves in the early morning.

sandhill-cranes-2
A pair of sandhill cranes stop for food in the refuge.

sandhill-cranes1
A small flock of sandhill cranes returns home after a long day.

sandhill-sunset

Dawn at Bosque del Apache main pond. The snow geese are stretched out far.

snow-geese-dawn
This is the unbelievable mess of feathers created when all the snowgeese decide to liftoff from the cornfields at the same time.

snow-geese-flock
One of my favorite pictures. Predawn liftoff at the main pond. This picture was taken from the flight deck. Thousands of snow geese are honking in conversation with themselves, then it goes instantly quiet for a fraction of a second, and then the cacophony of flight begins. It is not only an amazing sight, but an amazing sound. Do yourself a favor and wear a hat.

snow-geese-liftoff

Snow geese in the main pond in the late afternoon. Notice there are a few black ones.

snow-geese-pond-afternoon
Snow geese lift off from an alternate pond after the main dawn liftoff.

snowgeese-flock1
Snow geese begin to disperse a little after a secondary liftoff.

snowgeese-flock2

Snow geese come in for a landing at a secondary pond after liftoff from the first. We've had excellent luck at these ponds - they are on the west side of the road you take to get to the refuge ranger station and entrance. If you just miss the main liftoff, they might all fly to one of these ponds where you may or may not get to see a second liftoff.

snowgeese-flock3
A pair of snowgeese that look tired.

snowgeese-pair
Sometimes the snowgeese fly with the sanhill cranes.

sunrise-sandhill-cranes-flying

I'm not quite sure what this bird is. Please send me an email if you know.

unknown1

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