Posted by Brian Gatlin on January 20, 2012 at 8:03 AM
Hi all,
Thought I'd post an update from Bosque del Apache, where I've spent the last few days.
I've made several trips here in the past, and to me, conditions seem just fine. The alternate driving loop that they had planned to open is not open (and will not open), but the regular loops are both open. Bird numbers seem fine to me--maybe slightly fewer, but with this many birds, it doesn't impact photo opportunities. Numbers are something like 10K cranes, 35K white geese, and 80K ducks if I remember right, so that is plenty of birds. Raptors are everywhere also (Harriers, kestrels, redtails, ferruginous, and bald eagles being most numerous), but my dream of getting a Ron-Dudley-quality harrier image (just one!) remains, alas, a dream.
The crane pools are great first thing in the morning for flyout, and the farm loop NE corner is excellent in the morning for landing cranes and geese. Fly in is a little more spotty, but I found some good shots just north of the Flight Deck (thanks to Keith Bauer for the tip). This is also a good area for Harriers. And there's a cooperative Roadrunner right at the start of the Marsh Loop.
That's about it, feel free to email if you have questions. Photos will follow once I get home!
Discussion
1 repliesThought I'd post an update from Bosque del Apache, where I've spent the last few days.
I've made several trips here in the past, and to me, conditions seem just fine. The alternate driving loop that they had planned to open is not open (and will not open), but the regular loops are both open. Bird numbers seem fine to me--maybe slightly fewer, but with this many birds, it doesn't impact photo opportunities. Numbers are something like 10K cranes, 35K white geese, and 80K ducks if I remember right, so that is plenty of birds. Raptors are everywhere also (Harriers, kestrels, redtails, ferruginous, and bald eagles being most numerous), but my dream of getting a Ron-Dudley-quality harrier image (just one!) remains, alas, a dream.
The crane pools are great first thing in the morning for flyout, and the farm loop NE corner is excellent in the morning for landing cranes and geese. Fly in is a little more spotty, but I found some good shots just north of the Flight Deck (thanks to Keith Bauer for the tip). This is also a good area for Harriers. And there's a cooperative Roadrunner right at the start of the Marsh Loop.
That's about it, feel free to email if you have questions. Photos will follow once I get home!
Thank you for sharing. I almost feel as if I am there from your description.