Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, 9.21.12-9.25.12

We have arrived at our first refuge stop: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio, NM. The refuge is 57,331 acres located at the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert and straddles the Rio Grande, approx. 20 miles south of Socorro, NM (2 hours south of ALBQ).  The Chupadera Mountains run along the western edge of the refuge and the San Pascual Mountains are on the east. 

Oliver at work scanning some old refuge annual reports. We are enjoying this glimpse of the history of this incredible refuge which exists largely to allow a space for thousands of Sandbill Cranes that spend the winter months here. They start arriving in the middle of November and the refuge is preparing for their arrival and the 25th annual "Festival of the Cranes", scheduled for 11/13-18.

These bright yellow sunflowers are found all over the refuge. 

The landscape is beautiful and it is a very serene place as well. It actually rained last night! The annual rainfall here is 6-7 inches, so we knew the rainstorm was something special to experience here. In the photo to the left, Oliver is enjoying his taco dinner (one blue corn shell and two regular corn shells, along with homemade chips and salsa) one of the many good meals we have had in NM. This was at a small Mexican restaurant just a short drive from Bosque.

This is our humble abode at Bosque: a three room trailer, just steps from our work area.

There is a train track that runs through the refuge. We find it funny that in the middle of this quiet and gigantic refuge is a sign of civilization. We wonder what the animals think of it.

This is the volunteer lounge. A new building with a large kitchen area, laundry facilities, computers,

puzzles, dvds, and a television that we were able to watch Sunday football games on! As you can see, we have set up our work station in this space. Bosque del Apache has a very healthy and active "Friends" group of volunteers who help with special events and also help with the visitors center, gift shop, and special projects. This is a caring and committed group of people and some of them actually live on the grounds of the refuge in RVs and trailers. 

A herd of mule deer. 

 A blue heron who claims this rock as his own. We learned that herons will straighten their necks

when they are around Sandbill Cranes who always have elongated and elegant necks. We thought this little guy was funny and saw him at both ends of a "tour loop" we did through part of the refuge...he seemed to be the official greeter. 

These binoculars were very powerful. However, the only animal we saw at this overlook was a skunk! 

This is a flock of turkeys who were unphased by our presence. 

We will laugh out loud at the roadrunners. They are funny as they scamper all over the place - usually in large groups. There are many varieties at Bosque.