Bisti Badlands on a Cloudless Day
This image was captured in the fall of 2015. Back then, the cloudless sky did not appeal to me. Looking at this image two years later in B&W has it own appeal. Would love to go back next year and explore the region some more.
Bosque de Apache - Day 1
Day 1 - We arrived mid afternoon to predicted weather. After checking in to the hotel we drove out to the refuge to check out the activity. The skies were overcast and it had been raining, torrential at times but this turned out to be serendipitous. The sun peaked out for a few and then there was this double rainbow across the horizon. The lack of detail did not bother one as the contrast was accentuated.I am so glad to be having this workshop a few weeks later than usual this year. No jostling for space to set up tripods and get a decent spot. The typical hoards of photographers competing with their workshop leaders to get a good image are all gone. The ones that are here seem to have respect for each other and maintain photographer's etiquette, so different for years past. There are a thousands of sandhill cranes and 10's of thousands of Light Geese making it difficult to isolate.Late evening after dinner we photographed the old church in Socorro.
Bosque del Apache and White Sands National Monument
Returned late last night after an incredible Photo Tour and Workshop (PTAW) to the Bosque and White Sands. We arrived in New Mexico on Thanksgiving and it was non stop photography from pre dawn to night every day.The PTAW officially started on Friday but early arrivers enjoyed Thanksgiving evening watching the Sandhill Cranes fly in with the golden light of the setting sun. Each morning we picked a location ideal for capturing great images - all based on the direction of the winds in conjunction with the sunrise. Mornings and mid afternoons were spent scouting out for additional opportunities in the corn fields and pools.The reserve has been cleaned up and almost every location is perfect for great image making. Some images from PTAW participants:
The image above is from the first morning and the three images below are from the following evening.
And here is one of mine at sunset.
Could not resist posting a "Fly Off" aka "Blast Off" aka "Explosion" - whatever you want to call it - it is just fabulous to witness.
The current count of Sandhill Cranes is just under 7,000 and the the Snow Goose count is about 53,000 as of November 28, 2012.
Bosque del Apache & White Sands - Nov 23 to 29, 2012
The Bosque del Apache and White Sands Workshop and Photo Tour planning is done and we are ready for enrollment. Workshops fill up fast so book early.
Bosque del Apache which translates to Woods of the Apache is a most spectacular congregation of birds. The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a 57,331-acre wildlife oasis of upland desert and floodplain that was established in 1939. The refuge is located in south-central New Mexico about one hour from Albuquerque. The Rio Grande flows through the area providing water to the refuge. Close to 15,000 Sandhill Cranes and over 30,000 Snow and Ross’s Geese migrate here for the winter.The refuge is an ideal location to capture large flocks of snow geese, particularly when they are flushed by the presence of a predator. At dusk numerous flights of geese and cranes return to the refuge to roost, making for great evening “birdscapes.” At dawn, the “Fly Out” is another phenomenal experience. In addition to these magnificent birds, opportunities to photograph wild turkeys, pheasants, roadrunners, owls, golden eagles and bald eagles abound. Mammals like the coyote and black tailed deer are also presentThe late November tour serves up the opportunity for autumn colors and potential for some light snow cover.We will spend the majority of our time at the refuge but will head out to photograph White Sands National Monument. The gypsum sand dunes stretch for miles and we will spend a day to capture the dunes in the early morning and evening light with the full moon as a bonus.CLICK HERE for a PDF document with full details and the itinerary.