Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico - July 2009

Show up at Bosque del Apache on Thanksgiving weekend and you’ll understand why bird photographers consider it one of the country’s prime locations for shooting birds. Beginning in late fall, the refuge hosts over 44,000 snow geese, as well as cranes and various other birds, that all make this area their winter home. Every big-name bird photographer seems to hold a workshop here in late November. To better appreciate all the fuss, go to YouTube and search “Bosque del Apache flyout”. It’s worth the effort.

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico - July 2009

Summer is a different story. The weather is hot and the refuge is comparatively empty – although you’ll still see your share of turtles and wild turkeys. You’ll also see hummingbirds, an unexpected surprise which greatly pleased The Boy.

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico - July 2009

To be certain, this isn’t the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica. These hummingbirds aren’t as colorful or as plentiful. They are just as much fun to watch, however. It ended up being the mosquitoes that drove us away from the feeder and back into our camper.

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico - July 2009

Scrat ended up being our constant companion on this trip. By the time it was over, Lewis could do a pretty good Scrat impression. Whether or not that is a good thing is another question…

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico - July 2009

We’ve just finished a brief chase of ten or so wild turkeys. The Boy and I came in last or, as he would say, I did.

previous image set: Very Large Array, New Mexico
next image set: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico