Day 83 – It was 18 degrees this morning, SO cold. But today the wind was much lower and the sun was out all day. We are leaving tomorrow for a new destination. Today will be massive birdwatching.
We left this morning before 10 a.m. It was still well below freezing. We had all of our winter gear with us. We went back to LADD for the second time this trip (Ladd, S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex, Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area, 40 miles above San Antonio, NM, off I-25). It was again totally awesome. We’ll let the pictures/video do the talking for us.
Sandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMBernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMBernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMSandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NMMountain Bluebird, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NM
Sandhill Cranes, Bernardo WMA, Ladd S. Gordon WMA, 40 miles North of San Antonio, NM
It was bitterly cold out, but the coats and wool hats did help. We went back to the RV for a late lunch. By then it had reached 30 degrees. We put the winter gear back on after lunch and headed out for this trip’s last slow crawl through Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. It was less crowded than it had been any other day since we’ve been here. The holiday week is over; people are heading back to work and life returns to normal for the birds.
We stayed until the sun had gone down, driving all the Refuge roads, some of them more than once. In addition to the usual suspects, we got fairly close to several Mule Deer, and to a pack of Javalina. It’s such a beautiful Refuge, and the mountains surrounding this whole area are so nice; we really hate to leave. Many of the mountains had snow on them from yesterday’s storm. The high today was 41 degrees. Tonight we’re supposed to get into the teens again, but at least the wind has died down – for now.
Northern Shoveler, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMNorthern Pintail, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMNorthern Shoveler ice skating, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMNorthern Shoveler ice skating, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMNorthern Pintail, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMMule Deer with one antler, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMJavalina, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMJavalina, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMJavalina, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMRob taking pictures of Javalina, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMRob taking pictures of Javalina, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMMule Deer, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMMule Deer, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMMule Deer, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMMule Deer, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMMule Deer, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMMule Deer, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMMule Deer, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMRedhead, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMSwainson’s Hawk, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMBosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMHawk, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMNorthern Shoveler, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMNorthern Pintail, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NMLots of other bird watchers! Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Javalina, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge: The Refuge is open every day from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. A visit costs $5 per carload (you can get in free with Federal Senior Passes). There are 12 hiking trails, ranging from ½ mile to 9 ½ miles in length. There are 2 biking trails; one is 11 miles long, the other is 11.3 miles long (round trip). There is a 14-mile Auto Tour scenic drive. There is a visitor center, nature store, restrooms, parking, picnicking, and hunting & fishing are allowed in designated areas during certain seasons subject to Federal regulations. To reach the Refuge from Albuquerque, take I-25 south to Exit 139 (San Antonio), travel east ¼ mile on US-380 to the flashing signal, turn right onto NM-1 and drive south 8 miles to the visitor center. OR From Las Cruces, take I-25 north to Exit 115 for NM-107 and turn right on Old US Hwy 85, turn left on NM-1 and proceed 18.3 miles to the visitor center. (575) 835-1828 www.fws.gov/refuges/bosque_del_apache/
For more detailed information about Chupadero Mountain View RV Park, click here.
