A highlight for me during my Best of Bosque workshop every year is spending time with wood ducks that never disappoint. This image was made with the Sony Alpha 1 camera with a 600mm f/4 lens and 1.4X extender.
Least Sandpiper Reflection
A Least Sandpiper from my Best of Bosque workshop last December. We were at the Crane ponds for the last drops of light, and the air was so still that the reflections were fantastic. Most photographers were lying in the mud trying to get infinite out-of-focus backgrounds, but we chose to work with our tripods fully extended to maximize the reflections.
American Kestrel in flight
An American Kestrel in flight from my Better than Bosque workshop in New Mexico. Talk about heart-stopping action! This was from my last time entering Bosque del Apache NWR (AKA: The Bosque) last December.
I still have one spot left for my Dec. 5-9, 2023 Better than Bosque workshop.
Northern Harrier vertical
Northern Harriers made daily appearances during my Best of Bosque workshops again this year. This one seemed to love hunting along the ditch line in front of us.
Sandhill Crane FLYING OUT OF THE STORM
I mentioned the record-breaking rain that we had during my Best of Bosque workshop in an earlier post. This is the kind of dramatic image that can be made if the sky clears in the Southwest as the sun sets. The sky in the Northeast East was still full of clouds over the Sandia Mountains.
Sandhill Crane Golden Silhouette
As the sun set in the background, we focused on the golden reflection and the magical silhouettes that the Cranes projected. Exposure for these is easy: f/8, 1/5,000s (to freeze movement and get a sharp outline) and ISO 500. Adjust black point, colour temperature and contrast to artistic taste.
American Kestrel in flight
On my way out of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge for the last time this year, I had an epic encounter with this American Kestrel. So many images and so many poses! WOW, I think my heart stopped a couple of times!
The smallest member of the falcon family in North America is also called a Sparrow Hawk. Studies have shown that kestrels can see ultraviolet light. Researchers believe that this ability to see UV light enables them to vividly see the urine markings and trails that small mammals, such as voles, leave as they run along the ground. These trails and urine markings would likely look bright yellow to a kestrel, therefore alerting them to the presence of a meal.
Northern Harrier in flight
Here is a female Northern Harrier from yesterday (day 4 of my Best of Bosque workshop). We have had some near-epic Northern Harrier encounters so far. My favourite is still the one I posted on Wednesday morning with the cottonwood trees in the background SEE IT HERE.
Unlike many raptors, hen or northern harriers have historically been favourably regarded by farmers because they eat mice that damage crops. Harriers are sometimes called "good hawks" because they pose no threat to poultry as some hawks do.
Northern Harrier in flight in nice light
My group had some pretty awesome views of Northern Harriers yesterday. This is a female against autumn Cottonwood tree foliage. Things are starting to dry out after the near record-breaking rain the other day. Bosque del Apache was photographically slow with many Cranes and Geese, but very far from the road. I took the group to another reserve that had just reopened after the rain made the roads too muddy to drive without getting stuck. I have such a great group that I am really excited things are getting back to normal.
Northern Shoveler Landing
I’ve been scouting for my Best of Bosque workshop and this year is looking like it will be off the charts! Here’s a Northern Shoveler from earlier today while catching up with old friends Doug and Kristin Brown on the side of the pond. Who would have thought my first post of the trip would be a Shoveler? I’ve had some epic opportunities with Geese, Cranes, Harriers and Red-tailed hawks :)
Ring-necked Duck Drake
“Ring-billed Duck” may be a better name for this species, as its neck ring is usually only visible at close range. The white ring on the bill is a prominent field mark.
Wood Duck
Another Wood Duck from my Best of Bosque workshop last December. It is easy to see why Wood Ducks are a favourite subject. Such handsome birds.
Coyote eating an endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse
Here is another from the epic Coyote experiences during last December’s Best of Bosque workshop. This Coyote is eating an endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse which is endemic to New Mexico, Arizona, and a small area of southern Colorado.
I still have space for my Dec. 5-9 Best of Bosque trip after a couple cancelled for medical reasons. Learn more or sign-up for my Dec. 5-9 Best of Bosque workshop HERE.
Wood duck in flight
One of my favourite Wood Duck images from last December’s Best of Bosque workshop. A drake (male) Wood Duck flew directly towards us with the amazing colour of the Sunset reflecting off the cottonwood trees.
Learn more about the Best of Bosque Workshop HERE.
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Learn more about the Best of Bosque Workshop HERE. 〰️
Sandhill Crane
A Sandhill Crane in flight from my Best of Bosque workshop last December. I love the fire-like background in this frame.
Special thanks to Raquel Rizzuto Hitchcock from Sony of Canada for the images.
Snow Goose Landing
Want to become a master bird photographer?
There are still two spots available for my Dec. 5-9 Best of Bosque workshop. Join me at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife near Socorro, New Mexico for an awesome adventure and come home with a diversified portfolio while learning to become a master bird photographer. Learn more HERE.
Northern Pintail Landing and ProFusion Expo speaking schedule
ProFusion Expo November 9 & 10, 2022 Free Sony Presentation and meet & greet schedule
Thrilled and proud to be presenting at ProFusion Expo in Toronto today and tomorrow for Sony! Come and see a free mini-workshop/seminar/slideshow. Sony has generously sponsored an extra hour-long meet & greet, so come and say hello and bring your questions (if I can’t answer them, I am sure we will have some awesome support from my friends at Sony :)
The shows start at 12:00 (Noon) on both days. Click the picture below to learn more!
Snow Goose
A Snow Goose gently lands against the distant out-of-focus Cottonwood trees at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge on the second day of my Best of Bosque workshop last December.
Snow Goose calling in flight
A Snow Goose calls as it comes into the safety of the pond for the night. I love how simple this almost monochromatic image is with the bright red bill calling out its arrival. There are still two spots open due to cancellation; Learn more about my Dec. 5-9, 2022 Best of Bosque workshop HERE.
Wood Duck Portrait
A portrait of a drake (male) Wood duck from my Best of Bosque workshop last December. When the light angle is right, all of the colourful iridescence show wonderfully!
As iridescent birds move, nanoscale structures within their feathers’ tiny branch-like filaments — known as barbules — interact with light to amplify certain wavelengths depending on the viewing angle. This iridescence is known as structural coloration, wherein crystal-like nanostructures manipulate light.