She may have better offers... What we see is always described as "indifferent" - who knows what a crane experience? She am curious though!

The past several years there has not been the roosting of massive numbers of snow geese in places where they could be seen when they blast off. Smaller groups could be found but the numbers like 10 years ago haven't been seen...until this year. These blast offs were from a hundred yards north of the Flight Deck for those of you who know the BdA. Earlier this year, I don't think the snows were roosting there, but they did last weekend. When the sky is completely filled with the rush of wings and cries of joy (?), one needs to just put the camera down and be present to one of the most exhilarating displays nature has to offer!

Here's a set of a couple different cranes getting their whoopee on... These mating dances are simply awesome to see!! At the height of the display hoping to win mating rights, the dancer picks up sticks and throws them into the air. My take is that this a demonstration of what this mighty crane will do to any eagles who mess with the babies if he is allowed to be the papa... And of course they authored the original "bob" that has been mimicked by NBA touchdown celebrations.

Thanks to each and every responder! The beauty of nature and wild life heals and gives hope!

Hello Suntouched, thanks for your comments and questions. You got some great information and feedback about the Bosque. However, there are some developments that will be useful for you to know...
There used to be a fairly large RV camping place called "Birdwatchers RV" (I think that was it...) It is now closed, (bad news). However, (good news) there is a new one, much smaller - maybe 8 or 10 hookups. It is called "Chupadero Mountain RV park). It too is on the west side about 3 miles south of San Antonio, and half mile north of the old Birdwatchers place. The signage is not great, so have to keep eye out. There's a long entrance way, maybe a quarter mile to the "establishment". That's a double wide and you'll see the rigs parked there. The owner is Jose Padilla. He is a trip! And he will take good care of you. If you're lucky and he's not busy (unlikely) you might get invited for his wife Rena delish pie, or perhaps grilled javalina... It is imperative you call and reserve. As he is the only act around he is full!! Dropping my name won't hurt... His phone is 505 518-8264, or cell 505 838-2530. Email is Renajose@outlook.com

Also a few other changes... There is a pool or pond that is on the reserve, but not in the reserve "proper", i.e. the loop described earlier. That pond is precisely one mile south of the first sign of the Refuge entrance. It will be dark in the morning, however, likely there will be lots of cars already so you'll see their lights. There used to be 2 pools but have been combined into one, and they made and paved a parking lot, so you won't miss it. This is the spot for the mornings (for sure), sun will be at your back, and evening for the fly in but you will be facing the sun. The snows are roosting at the "Flight deck", each turnout is named. The pond has some cranes and some snows roosting. Jose will give you the current locations. (Ask him about Bernado). The numbers of birds are at the far north of the loop. Feel free to ask more or back channel me if you want... It is important to allow yourself a bit of extra time to chat with Jose. He's the most hospitable New Mexican you'll every meet!! He also has a large room he rents out for people who don't RV or Camp. Best of luck, let me know how you make out...

I enjoyed a weekend at the BdA, camping overnight, and staying warm... Lots of birds this year! There are large numbers of cranes and snow geese feeding in the fields, and different (from last year) areas are flooded. If it is sheer numbers you want to see, they are at "Bernado" - in massive numbers! I have a sequence of the Hooded Merganser working on swallowing a big crawdad on my site if you want to see the whole thing... https://ralphlind.smugmug.com/Nature/Bosque-del-Apache-December-15-2016/i-sKJ4sCR/A
Took him about 10 minutes to get it down...

What a wonderful photo and caption!!! Bosque del Apache?

To all...your comments and replies are welcomed, warm and generous! My hope is that we all grow in awe of the beauty that surrounds us!
Photo forward!!

I continue to be very grateful for each and every one of your generous replies!!

Amazing!! I'm agonna get my grandson on it right away! :)

Thanks to all for your responses!
Bird On!

These are actually made using “regular” legos??

I love photographing birds, especially cranes and hummingbirds. I could spend entire days just taking pictures of one or the other, OK I do spend entire days just following the sun, shade and backgrounds. These were taken last weekend in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. I forgot to take my feeder in my camper, so I hollowed out an apple, and put the juice in the cavity. Actually, looks a lot better than those ugly red feeders...or at least I think so. I took over 3,000 pictures, and narrowed down to about 75 that I kept, and these are random of those 75... After a few days, the patterns become predictable and one can anticipate where certain ones will hover, and they will keep going back to the same spot after sipping on the nectar. They are beautiful little buggers. Today, sitting in my office, I swear I heard them buzzing around!

I appreciate all your responses!

Thanks folks for your replies!