More Winter Birds

Winter in New Mexico is the time of year when Sandhill Cranes and geese grace our portion of the Rio Grande with their presence.  So for nature photograhers, it's also the time of year when we get out in the field to capture them in images before they head back north in spring.

This weekend I visited Bernardo Wildlife Management Area near San Acacia.  I had never stopped there before although I drive past it each time I visit Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.  Thousands of cranes were feeding on the corn planted for them at Bernardo, but, from a photographer's standpoint, the areas is not as scenic as Bosque del Apache.  Photo backdrops for the cranes consist mostly of standing dried corn - not the prettiest in my opinion.  Also, at Bosque del Apache, one can often capture cranes standing in water which makes for some nice reflection images. I did not observe this situation at Bernardo, but there are still plenty of photo opportunities.

Here is a photo I made of Sandhill Cranes in flight over the cornfields at Bernardo with our brilliant blue New Mexico sky as background.

Also at Bernardo, this lovely Say's Phoebe perched cooperatively on a corn stalk so I could snap its picture.

While walking a short hiking path at Bernardo, dozens of White-crowned Sparrows flitted in the brush, along with five or six Spotted Towhees.  The Spotted Towhees are such skulkers that they are difficult to see, but a little pishing brought one out in the open for a good look and a nice photo.

Bernardo has several canals along which grow cattails.  I photographed these cattails in color with the Canon 70-200mm lens and 2.0 II teleconverter on the Canon 5D Mark II body.  I later converted the photo to black-and-white in Photoshop.

If you're headed to Bosque del Apache NWR on I-25 from Albuquerque or points north, Bernardo is worth a stop on your way.  Take the US 60 exit and follow the sign.  You can see cranes at very close range - they sometimes walk right along the road.  Yesterday, there were hundreds of cranes in the air almost constantly, and their calls filled the air throughout the refuge.  Restrooms, picnic tables and observation blinds make it a civilized experience.

Cheers 'til next time...Gail.
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All images and text ©2014 Gail Diane Yovanovich