Bosque del Apache - best time to visit?
Feb 3, 2023 13:28:43 #
I’ve always enjoyed the photos from Bosque del Apache and now that I’m retired (YAY!), I want to plan a trip to visit. So from those of you who have gone there, when do you think is the best time to visit? I don’t care about the weather, I’m used to photographing in freezing cold, heat and rain!
Ideas?
Ideas?
Feb 3, 2023 13:35:45 #
JimGray
Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico
The best time is from the beginning of November to the middle of February. I am going there with a group today.
Feb 3, 2023 13:55:16 #
JimGray wrote:
The best time is from the beginning of November to the middle of February. I am going there with a group today.
Thanks! I was aiming for beginning on December
Feb 3, 2023 20:10:02 #
cosmo54 wrote:
Thanks! I was aiming for beginning on December
Should be perfect.
Feb 4, 2023 09:52:46 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
JimGray wrote:
The best time is from the beginning of November to the middle of February. I am going there with a group today.
Feb 4, 2023 10:20:29 #
Thanks for coming to New Mexico and the Bosque. We'll appreciate your visit.
Feb 4, 2023 12:20:58 #
I have just been to the Bosque 2 weeks ago. A few things are different this year but overall it was ok. Last year I was there at the end of the first week of February and quite a few birds had already left. According to the ranger the food source is not as abundant as in previous years because of lack of water. The did not plant any corn last year because their water allotment was down. Triticale is all they planted and it is hard to see the birds hiding ( feeding ) in the fields. Have a great visit.
WJH
WJH
Feb 4, 2023 12:29:44 #
JimGray
Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico
There is another wildlife refuge north of the Bosque del Apache where there are a lot more cranes during the day. It is called Ladd Gordon refuge. However no snow geese and few other wildlife. We were there yesterday.
Feb 4, 2023 12:37:09 #
JFCoupe
Loc: Kent, Washington
I have only been to Bosque once in late January. The field near the entrance had been flooded that fall and the Cranes and geese were all concentrated there in both the morning and again just before sunset.
From what I have read, late November through January are good but bird counts vary year to year.
Plan to be on site before sunrise and again about an hour before sunset. While the geese tend to take off or come in in large numbers, the Sandhill Cranes seem to come in in much smaller numbers giving photographers many opportunities for images.
One last note, I think there is a Sandhill Crane festival in either late Nov or early Dec with professional photographer lectures, etc.
From what I have read, late November through January are good but bird counts vary year to year.
Plan to be on site before sunrise and again about an hour before sunset. While the geese tend to take off or come in in large numbers, the Sandhill Cranes seem to come in in much smaller numbers giving photographers many opportunities for images.
One last note, I think there is a Sandhill Crane festival in either late Nov or early Dec with professional photographer lectures, etc.
Feb 4, 2023 12:48:26 #
Ed Chu
Loc: Las Vegas NV
cosmo54 wrote:
Thanks! I was aiming for beginning on December
Been there twice - probably, a general rule, best period is middle of Dec to middle of Jan
Feb 4, 2023 19:57:03 #
Ed Chu wrote:
Been there twice - probably, a general rule, best period is middle of Dec to middle of Jan
Was there first week of January and it was lots of fun. Hawks, Harriers, Kestrals, ducks and of course Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes!
Feb 4, 2023 23:10:41 #
rlovaglio
Loc: Augusta, Maine
Right now is the best time to go. The sandhill cranes are there and flying all around every day until they leave to fly north. My recollection is the birds start north early March. And when they go...they all go.
Feb 4, 2023 23:16:55 #
rlovaglio
Loc: Augusta, Maine
I want to revise my estimate of time to go. All the other responses are accurate and probably by mid february it is chancy as to what you will find. Plus the refuge has had less water and planted less corn as one respondent said and that influences the flocks negatively. The last four years have been water deprived. I looked at my EXIF data and almost all my images were in November.
Feb 5, 2023 22:35:13 #
We were there around January 25 about 6 years ago. We were told by other photographers at the hotel to go about 10 miles or so north from Bosque. Great birds. I think they pay the farmers to leave a portion of their corn in the field and they shread a couple of rows every week for bird feed. If you are staying in a hotel, just ask-you can usually tell a photographer. :<)
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