Bosque del Apache - February 2020 - Part 6

While driving the refuge road one afternoon, we noticed a vehicle stopped to observe something beside the road.  We are glad that they had spotted this bobcat in a tree as we may well have missed it.

A sunset at the Wetlands Roost pond

We returned to the roost pond before dawn the next morning for the geese departure.
The waning crescent moon had just passed in front of Mars (the tiny orange dot in upper right).

The sun coming up

It is easier to tell a Ross's Goose from a Snow Goose when they are next to each other. (Ross's on the left)

Cranes heading out

With the cranes starting to depart, we started seeing more courtship behavior.

A bunny warming in the early morning sun

Wonderful scenery in the morning light

In the early afternoon we expected to find geese in the roost pond.  Instead, most of them were hanging out in the field next to it.

Green-winged Teal

On our last circuit of the refuge road during this visit, we felt lucky to spot this bobcat.

Bosque del Apache - February 2020 - Part 5

The owner of the RV park feeds corn to the cranes.  This feral Pot-bellied Pig had discovered the free meals.

I was watching this crane move its neck around into the most amazing contortions while it was preening.

The flock of Wigeons taking flight

This huge flock of Snow Geese descended to feed at a nearby farm field.

After feeding during the morning, the geese would often return to the roost pond for a midday rest before heading back out for the late afternoon and early evening.

American Wigeon Male

American Wigeon Female

There was often one or more turtles hauled out on this log in one of the refuge canals.

One of many Red-tailed Hawks seen in the refuge

This Northern Shoveler must have felt like it was in a maze amid all the resting geese.

We were happy to see that this Tundra Swan was still hanging around the refuge.

Bosque del Apache - February 2020 - Part 4

It wasn't hard to tell that this is a Red-tailed Hawk.

A male Bufflehead Duck

We were lucky to spot this rarely seen elk herd.

Another Roadrunner

We spotted many Western Meadowlarks at the RV park and in the refuge.

Blackbird decorated trees

We often saw Mule Deer.

This Bald Eagle was bringing back a duck for lunch.

A Prairie Falcon

The beautiful winter landscape

Another Bosque del Apache sunset

Bosque del Apache - February 2020 - Part 3

One morning a large flock of Snow Geese settled onto a field next to the RV park.

Then something startled them into flight.

Within the refuge we often saw Roadrunners feeding alongside the road.

This Muskrat swimming in one of the canals was a first for us here.

We had been watching a prediction for a winter storm and woke to find significant snow.

The view from our RV

That afternoon we took a drive through the refuge.

The Wetlands Roost Pond parking lot

Snow frosted bushes

Gambel's Quail

Along the refuge loop road

A doe out in the snow

A very wintry Bosque

One of the observation decks (Coyote Deck)