A few weeks ago I went with some friends to Bosque Del Apache.

"Bosque del Apache, which means 'woods of the Apache', was named for the people who often camped in the riverside forest. Today it is known as one of the most spectacular Refuges in North America.
This 57,191 acre refuge straddles the Rio Grande Valley in Socorro County, New Mexico. It ranges in elevation from 4,500 to 6,272 feet above sea level. It receives approximately 7 inches of precipitation each year. Within the refuge borders lie three wilderness areas totaling approximately 30,850 acres and five research natural areas totaling 18,500 acres. "

Having never been before... I was very excited. I was also quite nervous... because we were stopping on the way back to ABQ from a trip... and it was getting dark pretty quickly. Plus... it was not the right time of year to really get shots of the birds. I was afraid that I would not be able to get any shots at all... and so I resigned myself to relaxing and enjoying the experience, and not trying to get a "souvenir" photo.

As it turns out... I was able to get a few... and I hope that you like them.

--------------------------------- *all photos by Elaine A. Russell

See more here:
http://www.stateparks.com/bosque_del_apache.html
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/bosque/
http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/

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