Mentor Series: Bosque Del Apache

Sandhill cranes, snow geese, ducks, deer and even coyotes all appeared for the Mentor Series Workshop at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge – just about 1.5 hours from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bob Smith, our Nikon Mentor, showed us where to photograph the Sandhill cranes flying out from their night roosting places and flying back from their daytime jaunts to nearby fields and wetlands where they feed.

Early morning, the air was nippy and gloves and hats were necessary as we waited for the birds to decide when to fly out or fly back to their ponds.  Focusing on flying cranes is a new skill that I acquired on this trip – thanks to Bob Smith. I was also able to borrow and try the Nikon D5 with tutoring from Bob Smith.  For birds, it was faster than my Nikon D750 – I know what camera I am getting next!!!

One morning, a lone coyote stirred up the roosting Sandhill Cranes to prompt some of them to fly out a bit sooner than they had planned.  Good for the line of photographers!    Then in the evening, a herd of deers posed – with their ears nicely backlit for the camera. In addition, Bob Smith challenged the group to photograph the San Miguel de Socorro Mission, which was built on the ruins of the Old Nuestra Senora de Socorro mission (1626). A number of us sat or lay on the garden area to figure out how to photograph the cross in front of the church without covering up the window above the door. On another day, we went to Pueblo Indian Cultural Center to photograph dancers – a change from photographing birds.

A highlight for me, was the drive around the Bosque del Apache wildlife loop road where we stopped at various fields to photograph the Sandhill Cranes and snow geese feeding.   We were fortunate enough to see hundreds of snow geese landing in waves in one field.   What a sight!

Great trip with lots of interesting people who participated on the trip – with excellent planning from Bob Smith and Vanessa!

Betty Hum

Sandhill cranes, snow geese, ducks, deer and even coyotes all appeared for the Mentor Series Workshop at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge – just about 1.5 hours from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bob Smith, our Nikon Mentor, showed us where to photograph the Sandhill cranes flying out from their night roosting places and flying back from their daytime jaunts to nearby fields and wetlands where they feed.

Early morning, the air was nippy and gloves and hats were necessary as we waited for the birds to decide when to fly out or fly back to their ponds.  Focusing on flying cranes is a new skill that I acquired on this trip – thanks to Bob Smith. I was also able to borrow and try the Nikon D5 with tutoring from Bob Smith.  For birds, it was faster than my Nikon D750 – I know what camera I am getting next!!!

One morning, a lone coyote stirred up the roosting Sandhill Cranes to prompt some of them to fly out a bit sooner than they had planned.  Good for the line of photographers!    Then in the evening, a herd of deers posed – with their ears nicely backlit for the camera. In addition, Bob Smith challenged the group to photograph the San Miguel de Socorro Mission, which was built on the ruins of the Old Nuestra Senora de Socorro mission (1626). A number of us sat or lay on the garden area to figure out how to photograph the cross in front of the church without covering up the window above the door. On another day, we went to Pueblo Indian Cultural Center to photograph dancers – a change from photographing birds.

A highlight for me, was the drive around the Bosque del Apache wildlife loop road where we stopped at various fields to photograph the Sandhill Cranes and snow geese feeding.   We were fortunate enough to see hundreds of snow geese landing in waves in one field.   What a sight!

Great trip with lots of interesting people who participated on the trip – with excellent planning from Bob Smith and Vanessa!

Betty Hum