Bosque del Apache Sunset #2

by Wes and Dotty Weber

Title

Bosque del Apache Sunset #2

Artist

Wes and Dotty Weber

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Sandhill cranes which is the common name which refers to the area along the Platte River at the edge of the Nebraska Sandhills. This is a stopover area during the cranes' annual migration route.
Adults are gray overall with red foreheads and white cheeks. Immature cranes have a reddish brown upper parts and gray underparts. Both sexes look alike. The average weight of the larger males is approximately 10 lbs and the females slightly less. The average height is from 3 to 4 feet. In flight, their long legs are pointed out behind them and their long necks keep straight.
The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is located in southern New Mexico. It was founded in 1939 and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is a favorite spot to watch the migration of the sandhill cranes. Late November to late February is the best time for large numbers of birds, typically over 10,000 sandhill cranes and over 20,000 Ross's and snow geese. An annual 'festival of the cranes' is held the weekend before Thanksgiving as large numbers of cranes begin arriving in the refuge. Winter visitors generally plan to be in the refuge at sunrise or sunset, when the flocks of cranes and geese that roost in the refuge "commute" to or from local fields where they feed. Although winter sunsets and especially sunrises are chilly, the daily low temperature is seldom far below freezing. Visitors typically stay in the nearby RV park or in Socorro or San Antonio.

Uploaded

February 25th, 2023

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags