Albuquerque, NM wildlife/nature photography: Taking a trip from 8/30 through 9/5. I would love some guidance on where to take wildlife/landscape photographs. I have car and am...

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

Taking a trip from 8/30 through 9/5. I would love some guidance on where to take wildlife/landscape photographs. I have car and am availalbe for sunrises and sunsets and love to shoot local wildlife from birds to beasts... i will be staying on/around Sandia, NM. Any quidance would be appreciated.

Arthur

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

acellis wrote:

Taking a trip from 8/30 through 9/5. I would love some guidance on where to take wildlife/landscape photographs. I have car and am availalbe for sunrises and sunsets and love to shoot local wildlife from birds to beasts... i will be staying on/around Sandia, NM. Any quidance would be appreciated. Arthur

Arthur, I have not been, but the most popular birding in NM is at "Bosque del Apache", or commonly called just "Bosque".
For a sample of many Bosgue shoots, visit NPN at http://www.naturephotographers.net/ . Also do a search for it on that site and you should find info. Don't know about your time of year since there are no migrations yet, but still worth checking out. Good luck on your trip. SS

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

A trip on the tram cable car up the Sandia mountains should be part of your trip. The area north of Albuquerque to Santa Fe area takes an hour. Great scenic views along the way.

West of Albuquerque, you can visit the Acoma Pueblo area. This is an area easily reachable from where you are staying. For fantastic views of western geology this is an excellent trip. The old Acoma Pueblo is on reservation land south of the interstate. You need a permit (available at the visitors center) to take photographs on the reservation. I would take the trip by bus up to the top of the mesa and old pueblo with a native guide. When I went, you had the option to walk back down to the visitors center after the tour. Some of the rock formations are spectular.

Other areas like area west of Gallup to AZ state line are very interesting but take longer to reach. (more than 3 hours) Bosque del Apache and White Sands are a longer trip from the Sandia/Albuquerque area.

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

Hi Sheila! Thanks for this. I've been many times but never as a photographer. I've since gone semi-pro and now am visiting as a professional photog. Great information. Would the bosque also be a good place for wildlife?

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Sheila wrote:

A trip on the tram cable car up the Sandia mountains should be part of your trip.

The tram runs until 9 PM. Try to time it so you're there at sunset.

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

I have never been to Bosque--it's on my list- but I travel across NM twice a year to and from Arizona. Bosque is best known for seasonal and migrating birds so your time frame is not good for that. I would check into some of the northern areas for parks and wildlife closer to Albuquerque area. The interstate that goes north from Alb past Santa Fe to Colorado would bring you into areas with wildlife. I know southern Colorado has mountain lions and bears but I don't know what you want to see.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

acellis wrote:

Taking a trip from 8/30 through 9/5. I would love some guidance on where to take wildlife/landscape photographs. I have car and am availalbe for sunrises and sunsets and love to shoot local wildlife from birds to beasts... i will be staying on/around Sandia, NM. Any quidance would be appreciated.

Arthur

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Preserve is south. It will probably be too early for the Sandhill Cranses though. Think about a night shoot at the large telescope array about 60 miles south. I can't remember the exact name.

platscha

way to early for bosque, the taos pueblo is grand to shoot also the old cemetery

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Sheila wrote:

A trip on the tram cable car up the Sandia mountai... (show quote)

I was at White Sands last November. Very disappointing. Walked for 3-4 hours and never did find a dune that was not all tromped down with footprints or hoof tracks from the horses allowed in parts of the park. I don't know, but maybe you could hire a Shamen Priest who could conjure up a big wind storm 2-3 days before you plan on going so the tracks will all be erased. :D

Take a compass or hand held GPS unit. IT is really easy to get lost out there. Bread crumbs just don't cut it. :?

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

acellis wrote:

Taking a trip from 8/30 through 9/5. I would love some guidance on where to take wildlife/landscape photographs. I have car and am availalbe for sunrises and sunsets and love to shoot local wildlife from birds to beasts... i will be staying on/around Sandia, NM. Any quidance would be appreciated.

Arthur

There is a very special place called the Bisti Badlands near Farmington in New Mexico. This is a very interesting and spectacular place to photo at. A regular car will make the trip out there but you should let somebody know where you are going if you go there. Look up the area on the internet, a lot of people dont go there because they dont know about it. This is a very special and interesting place. You have do do some short hiking but the rewards are great. Here are some photos of what is at the Bisti Badlands.http://www.google.com/search?q=bisti+badlands&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=tfP7UYSICeiUjAKRs4GQDw&ved=0CDQQsAQ&biw=1834&bih=1106

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

silver wrote:

There is a very special place called the Bisti Bad... (show quote)

Thought about going there once. Was worried about the road in. If I remember correctly, there is a dry stream bed to cross. Is this correct? If so, weather forecast is especially important.

Thanks

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

BobHartung wrote:

Thought about going there once. Was worried about the road in. If I remember correctly, there is a dry stream bed to cross. Is this correct? If so, weather forecast is especially important.

Thanks

The road is drivable in a regular car, not one if its really low to the ground. Watch the weather reports before going there.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Acellis, if the Bosque is out, also take a look at Chaco Canyon. It's a very photogenic ruin. SS

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

Check the New Mexico fish and game site. Under recreation, they have something called the GAIN program and specifically mention photography. A permit is availabe to go on state land set aside for wildlife management. There is a fee for this permit.

This department should be a good resource for you to find good areas for wildlife. They mention elk and javalinas as well as bears and mountainlions.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

acellis wrote:

Taking a trip from 8/30 through 9/5. I would love some guidance on where to take wildlife/landscape photographs. I have car and am availalbe for sunrises and sunsets and love to shoot local wildlife from birds to beasts... i will be staying on/around Sandia, NM. Any quidance would be appreciated.

Arthur

I agree wholeheartedly with the suggestion to include Acoma. It is a unique place that you'll never forget. Google New Mexico scenic byways for more ideas just outside Albuquerque. I really enjoyed the Turquoise Trail (includes the semi-ghost town of Ceriilos), the Route 66 trail (old 50's style road architecture), the Jemez Mountain trail (Battleship Rock, the ancient Bandelier ruins, the Jemez mission ruins, Valles Caldera volcano remains) and the Chain of Craters byway (starts near Acoma and winds around to El Malpais National Monument.) All these trails are good roads drive-able in any vehicle/weather, mostly 2-lane where you can get on/off easily. I was in a rental tin-can and had no problems.

The biggest elk I've ever seen in my life were cruising along the edge of woods beside the Jemez byway. Monsters.

Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque is worthwhile also. It is a big ancient rock pile, so not that much broad-landscape shooting but the glyphs themselves photograph beautifully.