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BOSQUE DEL APACHE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
AND
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
January 16-22, 2011
Location: Southern New Mexico
The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, located along the cottonwood-lined Rio Grande River in south central New Mexico, is one of the prime locations for winter wildlife photography in North America. In January, tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese as well as nearly 400 other bird species and numerous mammals can be viewed from loop roads and viewing areas throughout the refuge.We’ll be out each morning before sunrise to photograph Sandhill Cranes silhouetted against mist rising from the waters, and we’ll fill the frame with motion as thousands of Snow Geese rise together as they head out to their feeding grounds.
We’ll then drive the refuge roads looking for flocks of feeding cranes and geese as well as mule deer, coyotes, eagles, herons, ducks, and other wildlife species that make this their winter home. After our mid-day break, we'll again be at prime locations as the Sandhills, announcing their arrival with their ancient calls that conjure up visions of a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and Snow Geese arrive in formation, illuminated by the setting sun. While shooting in the Bosque, we’ll spend the nights in old Socorro, on the historic Camino de Real, the "Devil’s Highway", that the early Spanish followed on their route from Mexico to Santa Fe.
On this trip we will have four sunrises and three sunsets at the Bosque del Apache and two sunrises and two sunsets at White Sands. The trip is planned around the full moon, which occurs on the 19th.
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
The winds come from the southwest, up from Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert, whose northern reaches encompass a great mountain ringed valley, New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin. Deep within the basin rises a wonder of nature—rolling mountains of glistening white gypsum sand. Created by the combined effects of the relentless winds and deposits from an ancient sea that once filled the basin, the sands are constantly moving, changing form, changing mood.
The days are usually clear and sunny in January, and the mauve blue horizon sky at sunrise and sunset casts soft colors onto the dunes, creating visual fantasies with endless contours and movement of light and shadow. And the low angle of a January sun enables us to wander the dunes most of the day, continually finding new patterns and angles. And —the early sunset and late sunrise means we can get a full night’s sleep and enjoy the beauty of the morning and evening light fully rested!
Cost: $1,385/Single Supplement: $75
To register, please fill out the tour application and payment options forms. You may reserve a space (50% deposit or full payment) with your credit card or Pay Pal account or send a check to: Branson Reynolds, POB 3471, Durango,Co 81301
Arrival/Departure Point: Socorro, New Mexico (south of Albuquerque)
Nearest Large Airport: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Frequently asked Questions: Details on lodging, transportation, and other questions relating to this trip.
