Bosque del Apache translates as “Woods of the Apache.” The area occupied by Pueblo Peoples for centuries, was also used by Native Americans who camped at the river-side forest of the Rio Grande.
This is the winter home for Sandhill Cranes whose breeding ground is in Grey’s Lake, Idaho. As many as 14,000 arrive in November and leave by the end of February. I so want to come here when the cranes are still at the Refuge.
Sharon and I were very excited to come to the Refuge. We saw so many unique birds that we don’t have in Pennsylvania. We didn’t get a lot of pictures but here are the few we did.
There are a great number of year round residents. Here is a White-Faced Ibis. I loved the iridescent feather colors.
I never even heard of this kind of duck – Cinnamon Teal. I LOVE the color of the duck and it looks especially good when swimming in the blue-green water.
This was a fun bird to watch feeding in the water. Check out the cool beak. – American Avocet.
Then Sharon and I came across one we just couldn’t figure out, maybe someone can help us out.
Then we got a boost to our confidence. This one was easy. I got to “talk Turkey” and you can see the nice reaction from one of the males. He even gobbled back at me.
Another easy one to identify but the hardest to photograph – the Greater Roadrunner. John found a cooperative bird that held still for a profile pic.
Birds were not the only wildlife to see. We saw turtles, skunks, javalinas, and an Elk.
Here is a picture of a javalina I found on the internet. John couldn’t get a picture of the ones we saw.
Turtles were abundant.
Lizards.
And of course cati. The Horse Crippler’s spines are strong enough to puncture vehicle tires if driven over. Ouch!!
Sharon and I spent an evening and afternoon at the Refuge and probably could have spent a third day too.
I feel a volunteer opportunity for next winter presenting itself.
