Santa Ynez Valley

Santa Ynez Valley
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Friday, February 21, 2020

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.


Thursday, February 20, 2020

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)