Birds, Beauty and Bounty in New Mexico

Silver City

Bear Mountain Lodge and the Curious Kumquat

                       Mexican Jay

Curious Kumquat's Chef Rob

Truth or Consequences

Sierra Grande Lodge, Elephant Butte Lake and Ted Turner's Ladder Ranch

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Our seventh visit to the Festival of Cranes

It's really cold at 6 AM--see Judy (third on left)

Snow Geese at the Bosque too

Food Notes

Curious Kumquat
Amazing meals by Chef Rob

Ted Turner brought in renowned Chef Tatsu Miyazaki 
to oversee the Restaurant at Sierra Grande. Preparations

were exceptional--we ate all our meals in-house!

Frank and Lupe's in Scorro

Manny's famous green chili burger

at the Buckhorn in San Antonio

Cameras

Matt's Glorious Raptors at the Festival of the Cranes

A highlight of our trips to the Festival of the Cranes is a morning outing with Matthew Mitchell and his glorious raptors. Stunning aerial displays, close-up fly-bys and portrait views of his falcons and hawks are offered. Matt is a consummate host--sharing his knowledge, experience and joy.

Aplomado Falcon

Harris's Hawk

Gyr-Peregrine Falcon

Aplomado Falcon

Harris's hawk on my left-hand!

Thank you Matt--See you next time...

Notes.

Links:  Festival of the Cranes   Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

           Bosque del Apache NWR   Photo from our earlier trips to the Festival of the Cranes

Camera Info: Photos taken with Canon 7D with EF 100 - 400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS; Olympus O-EM5
                   with Lumix G Vario 12-35/f2.8.

The photo of the Harris's hawk on my left-hand was taken with the Olympus in my right-hand. At first, the Harris's wasn't quite sure what to make of the camera (probably the protruding lens), but quickly ignored it. This last photo was taken by Judy Todd with her trusty Canon S95.

Fly-outs, Fly-ups, and Fly-ins...

The Festival of the Cranes, at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (New Mexico), is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this November. The Bosque is spectacular and the Festival a wonderful event--we look forward to our return visit...

We rise early for "fly-out." The Sandhill Cranes are often found with their feet frozen in ponds.

During the day the Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese graze and Snow Geese "fly-ups" occur.

Judy with one of falconer Mattthew Mitchell's raptors and a Harris close-up...

At "fly-in" the evening skies are filled with Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese--a magnificent sight...

Photo info. Pictures taken with various Canon Cameras including Elan II e, 60D, 20D, 7D; with EF 100-400 IS L.

Foodie note. Check out Frank & Lupe's El Sombrero and the Buckhorn Tavern (winner of a green chili cheese burger "throw-down" with Bobby Flay).