Some more pictures from our trip to Bosque Del Apache last weekend… Soon after we arrived, we made a tour of the ponds and lakes around Bosque. These Sandhill Cranes were alerted to some action or possibly raptors, near this pond.
Sandhill Cranes At Bosque Del Apache
The following morning, we made our way out to Bosque from Socorro. The wind was really pumping. After watching the Snow Geese fly out, I captured these grasses being blown about by the wind.
Windblown Grasses At Bosque Del Apache
Later in the day, we made a tour round the ponds, observing several ducks and raptors. Stopping at one of the ponds, I made this image of the trees that were submerged by water.
Submerged Trees At Bosque Del Apache
The ponds are drained during the summer months. In the fall, water is allowed to flow into the ponds to provide a winter habitat for ducks and shore birds.
We made our way to farm road where the Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes were busy feeding. Several flocks of geese were flying in from other areas. I lowered my shutter speed to capture the motion of the wings on incoming Snow Geese.
Incoming Snow Geese At Bosque Del Apache
During the course of the day, the geese made their way down to one of the drainage ditches for a drink of water. While in the ditch, the geese were vulnerable from from predators. Snow geese are very skittish and are easily alarmed. This pair of geese were alarmed by some activity — probably visiting tourists.
Snow Geese On Sentry Duty
During the weekend, other birds that we observed included Shovelers, Pintails, Harriers, Bald Eagles and American Kestrels. We even observed a pair of Javelinas, our first sighting of this animal.