Come to south central NM to see thousands of waterfowl arrive for their winter home. Best time for viewing is the evening fly in at sunset. Here is a quote from their web site;
"Bosque del Apache is Spanish for "woods of the Apache," and is rooted in the time when the Spanish observed Apaches routinely camped in the riverside forest. Since then the name has come to mean one of the most spectacular national wildlife refuges in North America. Here, tens of thousands of birds--including sandhill cranes, Arctic geese, and many kinds of ducks--gather each autumn and stay through the winter. Feeding snow geese erupt in explosions of wings when frightened by a stalking coyote, and at dusk, flight after flight of geese and cranes return to roost in the marshes." Information video 17 minutes
The refuge has a visitors center and an automobile loop road through the refuge plus hiking trails and observation platforms. Plan to bring your camera and binoculars or spotting scope. It will be chilly at sunset that time of year. Bring warm clothes, a thermos of something hot and lawn chairs.
Make your reservations directly with;
BIRD WATCHERS RV PARK San Antonio, NM 87832
505.835.1366
30 RV Hookups - $20/night
If you chose to stay over, you may enjoy the many structured events planned during the Festival of the Cranes. See their web site for more info. Festival of the Cranes Nov. 13-18, 2007
Birdwatchers RV Park is the only RV park near the refuge. It will definitely get booked up. Plan to make your reservations directly with them now if you plan to stay over during the Festival of the Cranes.
Note added 10-27-07:
Due to medical and other complications, Airstream25, (Carol & I), will no longer be attending this rally. If the park fills up, I can release my reservation to whom ever needs it.
Please carry on without us. We have enjoyed it a number of times in the past and will likely revisit the refuge in the future.
Our suggestion is to go see the exhibits at the visitors center during the early afternoon then start the loop drive through the refuge about an hour or two before sunset to have time to drive slowly and see the wildlife. Look for the grain fields along the north end of the loop. Find a place to park, set up your lawn chairs and have your binoculars and cameras ready for the evening fly in. Warm clothes and a thermos of something hot will be appreciated.
Jerry
__________________ Airstream25 KE5CKG on 2 meters Four Corners Airstream Unit AIR #10274
I am currently at the Bird Watchers RV Park. Just got back from taking pictures at the wildlife refuge. It is just beautiful here, a real bird watchers' paradise, and really worth the trip.
I sure wish I was able to attend. Just my kind of thing.
__________________ "If a man does not have an ideal and try to live up to it, then he becomes a mean, base and sordid creature, no matter how successful." Letter to his son Kermit, quoted in Theodore Roosevelt by Joseph Bucklin Bishop, 1915
Just come on over! Its a great time of year to go camping down there.
Love to, but: 500 miles each way is a loong weekend.
__________________ "If a man does not have an ideal and try to live up to it, then he becomes a mean, base and sordid creature, no matter how successful." Letter to his son Kermit, quoted in Theodore Roosevelt by Joseph Bucklin Bishop, 1915
Ken - We would love to attend this rally, but have a commitment that we are locked into. It will be an ideal time to visit and the pictures will be fantastic. Can't wait to see them!
I count 347 of them. Anyone care to disagree? I wish we were able to do this as well. Looks like a great place for just sitting around and watching the wildlife. No, not the ones around the margarita ball. That comes after dark.
They all take off at one time - its a site to see - but, I have a question - which bird in that picture decides when its time to take off?? :-)
Ken
Easy, the one the other birds are following
__________________ "If a man does not have an ideal and try to live up to it, then he becomes a mean, base and sordid creature, no matter how successful." Letter to his son Kermit, quoted in Theodore Roosevelt by Joseph Bucklin Bishop, 1915
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