Thursday, November 14, 2013

Birding the Bosque Del Apache NWR

I am linking up with NF Winged   and  Skywatch Friday 

It is that time for Skywatch Friday, I hope to see everyone sharing their beautiful skies and for sharing some winged creatures for NF Winged.

 Since being home from our vacation, my working, turning back the clocks, captures of  the sky and birds has been just about non existent. So,  I am still sharing vacation photos.  On this day we were visiting the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife refuge. We spent two nights in a town near by the refuge called Socorro.  Staying close to the refuge allowed us time to be at the refuge during the sunset/sunrises.  The first evening we watched the Snow Geese lift off from the field and land on the marsh and then the Sandhill Cranes would start their show. It was just fun being there watching the flocks of geese, cranes, blackbirds and all the ducks.


The sun setting on a field of Red-Wing Blackbird and Sandhill Cranes.


Then the Snow Geese arrived letting everyone know they were on their way, the Sandhill Cranes on the ground would try blending in with their sounds. It was quite the show.



This is a shot of the sky behind us as we watched the show at the marsh.  On the bottom left you can see some of the train cars that derailed just  a short distanced from the wildlife refuge. I am so glad there was not a chemical spill from the derailment. We were happy that the entrance to the refuge was before this accident and the dreadful road closed sign.


A few Sandhill Cranes and some Northern Pintails in the background.


We watched the sky layered with clouds turn colors.


We listened as the geese flew by honking. The sky looked pretty with a layer of blue above the colorful trees a hint of pretty pink sky.


 Thanks for visiting my post and  blog and I always appreciate your comments.

  Happy Skywatching everyone!

To see more pretty skies from around the world please visit  Skywatch Friday
and to see more of the winged critters check out NF Winged

Thanks to Sylvia, Yogi  and Sandy for hosting Skywatch Friday! Thanks to Monica the host of NF Winged.   I wish everyone a safe and happy weekend.

64 comments:

Joop Zand said...

A nice place with so many birds.

These pictures are again very nice Eileen..... the light and colors are lovely.

Greetings, Joop

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi Eileen. What a wonderful sky shot and having Snow Geese and Cranes over head is marvellous. great shot especially he V of the geese

Carole M. said...

all such lovely photos Eileen, but I really like the formation in flight in your second photograph

Sonja said...

It's a place I'd love to visit one day, so have enjoyed your photos from there.

chica said...

Maravilha e a da revoada juntos, adorei! beijos,tudo de bom,chica

Beyond Zephyr said...

These are just amazing shots, Eileen! I love to see a big flock of birds!

Phil Slade said...

Thanks for the trip to see the Snow Geese Eileen. You just remeinded me of my favourite bird book - The Snow Geese by William Fiennes.

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Wonderful photos of this special area, especially the first and second pictures are gorgeous !
Best regards, Synnöve

DIMI said...

Hallo Eileen!!!
What a lovely place you visit!!!Wonderful pictures!!Great shots!!Like the photo with the Snow Geese!!And such beautiful skies!!Thank you for sharing!!Have a lovely day!!Hugs!!
Dimi...

Anonymous said...

Oh wat een hoeveelheid aan vogels het is ook een geweldige plaats voor hen je hebt er een fantastische blog van gemaakt.

Lynne said...

Loved seeing the geese flying in formation, always a great sight . . . great photos Eileen . . .

Elizabeth Edwards said...

that is a huge V. awesome shots. sunset & all. ( :

Debbie said...

hi eileen...it's probably best you take a break from taking pictures and share what you already have. they are gorgeous and it's fun for us, i would not want to miss these!!

your images, views and birds are just beautiful, i feel like i am right there with you!!

Montanagirl said...

Very nice photos, Eileen! Love all the birds and beautiful skies.

Me Ann My Camera said...

Oh my! What beautiful photos, especially of the Snow Geese flying in a V in the sky.
What a lovely environment you experience and the cranes must have been magnificent.
Thank you for your support of my blog

Indrani said...

Superb shots! I am stunned!

TexWisGirl said...

it sure is beautiful. the cranes are so neat. i love the geese v formation. (glad that derailment didn't taint things, there!)

Irma said...

Beautiful place with lots of birds.
The skies are truly beautiful, what a beautiful light, definitely the last photo.
Greetings Irma

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love that picture of all the snow geese in the sky! How beautiful and amazing!

Gail Dixon said...

You got some really pretty sky shots! Love the formation of the birds while migrating. How fortunate you were to see the sandhill cranes; they are trying to rebuild their numbers here in Louisiana. They're such beautiful birds.

Karen said...

Marvellous captures! I love the colour in the first one, and the skies are lovely!

Anonymous said...

Stunning shots - love the golden light in the first few.

DeniseinVA said...

Awesome shots Eileen. Looks like a fabulous place to view birds. Happy weekend to you :)

Crafty Green Poet said...

beautiful photos, always so wonderful to watch the geese flying in

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh --don't you just hate the time change????? It gets dark here at 5 p.m. now... Feels like I've lost part of a day!!!

You really got to see lots of birds... My son in Texas has the Sandhill Cranes in his area during winter. He can't wait 'til they get there.

Hugs,
Betsy

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh thank you for the beautiful pictures -- and the memories! We absolutely loved Bosque Del Apache.

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Nice shots! I really like the Sandhill Cranes and the pink sky. And I know what you mean about it being hard to get photos now with it dark so early!

George said...

I'm not in the least bit tired of seeing your vacation pictures. I certainly enjoyed the pictures of your geese and cranes. The sky photos are beautiful as well.

Sue said...

Well, I appreciate you sharing more photos and places to go see out in New Mexico.
And I also LOVE your header photos. Quite nice and colorful!

Mersad said...

These views are so good. Love the light too just after sundown.

Sylvia K said...

Wonderful, beautiful captures as always, Eileen!! I love your skies and the birds! Thank you, as always, for sharing the beauty with us each week!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!!

Rajesh said...

Beautiful place for bird watching. I like that second shot.

Anonymous said...

Excellent photography and beautiful skies for SWF and great geese shot! ~ thanks, carol, xxx

sunshine said...

Great post and beautiful photos.

Pallavi said...

Another beaitiful post :) loved the pictures especially of the sun setting over the field and the snow geese . Have a lovely day dear Eileen.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

These are fantastic shots- thanks for sharing!

Kusum said...

Lovely bird pics and landscapes!

Stephanie said...

Love all the photos!

Photo Cache said...

omg, there's a lot of birds. i've never seen this much birds with my own eyes before.

lina@women tips said...

Wonderful series, Eileen. Most love the second shot.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Absolutely stunning. What a wonder to be among that many birds. We saw Sandhill Cranes in Wisconsin last summer, it was wonderful to see big flocks of them.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Just beautiful! What a lovely outing-thanks

Joyful said...

Glorious shots, Eileen. Very beautiful.

LindyLouMac said...

All gorgeous photos of what looks like a delightful part of the world.

HansHB said...

Beautiful post! So much to study closer!

Noushka said...

Smack into migration season!
I usually see flocks of birds like these flight down but not so this year.
Wonderful to to be on site and observe this show!
Cheers, enjoy your WE Eileen!

MitchyLR said...

Hi Eileen!! Great shots of this wonderful bird refuge. So glad it wasn't affected by the train crash. I just wish photos came with sound, I'd love to have heard all the bird calls, too :-))

Regina said...

Absolutely amazing and wonderful Eileen.

Regards.

xo
Regina

Anonymous said...

I can not imagine seeing so many birds in one place. Awesome captures Eileen.

Linda said...

That shot of the "V" formation is spectacular!

thomas said...

Wow!Nice flying formation by the geese

Debbie said...

Sweet "V" and gorgeous skies!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures, I reall like the one with the Sandhill Cranes.

I enjoyed browsing your site.

Michael
check out my post; Sunset and Icicles

Carletta said...

Wow Eileen!
Love the shot of the snow geese in flight. The sky shot behind you looks like a rippled water reflection - cool.
Wonderful bird captures and beautiful skies!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Wonderful shots. I think my favorite is the 3rd from last... beautiful sky!

Stewart M said...

I used to love the arrival of geese in the UK - we don't get them as a winter visitors here.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Bob Bushell said...

Lovely scenery, lovely birds, thanks Eileen.

Brian King said...

The lighting and colors in the first photo are beautiful! I love the loose V in the flight shot! We get some cranes in western KY, but not this part of the state.

Betty Manousos said...

awww! glorious shots, eileen with my favourite being the second one.
love that loose v in the flight shot.

what an inspiring post, dear eileen!

xo

Unknown said...

Wonderful photos! That's a lot of birds. I love the cranes. Happy weekend to you!

NatureFootstep said...

how nice to see that many birds. I was out today and the lakes are empty apart from Mallards. The same with other places. Only at the feeders can I see birds. :(

Helma said...

This wonderful blog. what a beautiful pictures of the birds but also the beautiful warm skies are great to see. Great to see. Much cranes together To the colors of your skies can I watch for hours. Superb!

Maria said...

I love the 'V' pattern migration!

Mike said...

Great set of photos! I love the wide-angled shots that show so much of that pretty wilderness.

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