MrBumps2U, I'll private message you Bosque del Apache 101...others may be bored or envious!

MrBumps2U,
The lens I used is Nikon's 200 - 500. It is new to me as about 3 weeks ago! Previously I used Tamron 150-600. I think the plan would be to bring the longest lens you have and a tripod. Also a wide angle will be nice for the scenic shots. The main gear I'd encourage is the warmest set of long johns to parka that you have. It always seems much much colder than the numbers read. Probably because much of the time you'll be just standing and the only movement producing heat is your shutter finger. I envy you learning on such a group setting. You'll jump a couple years experience on your first run. Usually people arrive before it begins to get light, and set up by a pond where it has been determined the cranes and geese are roosting overnight. As soon as it begins to get light, you will see the birds and people will begin blazing away. Fact of the matter is - most folks will rip off several hundred before sun up. When the sun hits the water, all previous images will be dumped! You may see cranes or geese coming in, or just the departure of those roosting. The cranes will usually go first and begin taking off in ones, twos and small groups. It is very considerate of them. You will quickly read that those intending to take off will lean into the wind then start their run for take off into the wind. Most of the time there will be an hour long repeat until there is not one single one left. Somewhere in there, perhaps first, perhaps not, the snow geese will explode into the famous fly out. In the old days, when they roosted in a different spot, the numbers were larger, but it is still spectacular. Many times I forget the camera and just stand in awe... If conscious you just aim into the mass of birds and hold the shudder down and hope for the best, and hope no poop hits your lens...it happens. Then there is glorious silence and a line up of a hundred or so photographers stand around grinning and looking silly at each other. Pretty spectacular! With luck, the snows may circle around after awhile and land again and repeat... Then, when the ponds empty, you'll likely get into vehicles and start driving the loop. That's a slow crawl around a several mile figure 8 with many turnouts. The critters will be on the road or nearby and more birds on various flooded places, and probably massive numbers in the fields. It is rather comical to see a string of cars slowly going along, then a dozen folks spilling out with half a million bucks of gear in hand! I hope you have fun! It is really a very special place! If you want, take a look at my site https://ralphlind.smugmug.com/Nature It's not well organized, and probably best to start with the most recent galleries which will be at the bottom of the page.
Wishing you will!
Ralph

Shorthand for Bosque del Apache...sorry that had to be confusing. It's a wildlife refuge in New Mexico.

As per request for a few BdA mammals, here's some from previous trips... And a couple from last weekend too...

Lamiaceae, I'll post some mammals, but will have to pull up some from previous trip. A couple are several years ago...

Thanks one and all for checking out the Bosque and your kind words! There are several UHH'ers from New Mexico, along with myself, who I'm sure would likely be very happy to assist anyone wanting to visit the BdA. We can all give tips and suggestions on the how, when and where, to help your visit be the best it can be.

The winter residents have not yet arrived at the BdA this year, but it still is a beautiful place to visit. Last weekend I saw: coyote, javelinas, deer, turkeys, ibis, pelicans, GB Herons, hawks and a variety of small birds. I talked to a guy who showed me a beautiful photo of the bobcat he photographed the day before, plus some skunks... Here's a sampling of the 1800 shots I took.

I love this photograph!! And I'm very grateful for the added poem! Beautiful!

Thanks for the generous comments! I love that place.

Recently I had a project and opportunity of going through my files of BdA photos. I made a bunch of canvas prints, 20x30 and 30x40. I was astounded by the service, quality and price from Canvas on Demand. No, I am not a rep... They frequently have 50% off their prints, which puts them in the neighborhood of most of the other prints shops, including Costco. However, they were running a 90% off special. 20x30 for $40; 30x40 for $76...! So here's 10 from the batch I ordered. Doubt if anybody'd remember but I'm sure I've posted one or two here before...they are some of my favorites.

Exceptional!! What lens was used? Same for all the photos?

Your contributions are always very stunning! I am curious of the context/location of the birds and animals that you photograph. Are there preserves, refuges or sanctuaries in India similar to North America? Are the photos results of safaris or other sorts of opportunities? I really admire your photography!

If there was another crane that didn't make it in the image, I'd guess the "juggling" would be a stick or piece of something from the ground that the crane throws up in the air, sometimes repeatedly. It's part of their mating dance. I like to think of it as uncontrollable exuberance...

Thanks for all the responses! Jimbo, the Bosque del Apache is a fall and winter destination. It is very quiet in the summer time. People visit, but without the wintering birds it is an entirely different experience. There are birds, song birds, hummingbirds, and the critters, but it is organized around viewing decks and roads through fields that give access to places where the geese, ducks, cranes, and therefore raptures, etc... In my opinion, a time to avoid is the annual "Crane Festival". The entire place becomes a parking lot - people may outnumber birds and animals. The festival is a totally different experience. At least I'm pretty sure it is...I've never gone, nor will I...

Thanks for the responses folks! And UTMike, good catch on the NFL! I didn't even notice - HA!