Snow Goose announcing its arrival

A Snow Goose announcing its arrival in magical light from my recently concluded Better than Bosque workshop in New Mexico, USA.

Snow Goose calling at light (Chen Caerulescens, Oie des Neiges, SNGO) from my recently concluded Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area (Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex), Bernardo, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,500, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Snow Geese are possibly the noisiest of all waterfowl. Their main call, made by both males and females, is a nasal, one-syllable honk given at any hour of the day or night, at any time of year, in the air or on the ground. Distant calling flocks are reminiscent of a pack of baying hounds. Birds less than a year old have a clearer and higher-pitched whistle. Family groups use a series of guttural notes to communicate with each other while feeding. Parents make a fast, quiet series of notes as a brood call to round up goslings. During nesting, they use a penetrating alarm call that varies in intensity. The flight call is a continuous chorus of shrill cries, hoarse honks, and high-pitched quacks, audible both day and night.
— https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snow_Goose/sounds#

Snow Goose Landing in Last Drops of Golden Light

The light was spectacular, and the Snow Geese were plentiful. For most of the afternoon, the wind blew into our faces when we were positioned with our shadows pointed toward the birds with the sun at our backs. The worst combination: the birds landing toward the wind or away from us. All we saw was the south end of northbound birds - smile! The sweeter the light got, the more the wind shifted in our favour. What a perfect ending!

Snow Goose Landing in last drops of golden light (Chen Caerulescens, Oie des Neiges, SNGO) from my recently concluded Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area (Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex), Bernardo, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 6,400, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk in flight

This Sharp-shinned Hawk (Sharpie) tried to sneak past as we were preoccupied with the Snow Geese landing towards us during my recent Better than Bosque workshop in New Mexico. I have just announced next year’s Better than Bosque workshop from Dec. 5-9, 2024. Learn more and sign up HERE.

Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk (Sharpie) in flight (Accipiter striatus, Épervier brun, SSHA) from my recently concluded Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area (Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex), Bernardo, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 3,200, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Sandhill Crane in last light

A Sandhill Crane in flight against the out-of-focus Cottonwood trees and distant snow-covered Sandia Mountains in the last drops of golden light.

We had some epic light and unforgettable experiences during my recently concluded Better than Bosque Workshop in New Mexico. The group was terrific, and the photographic opportunities were plentiful and awe-inspiring.

After driving our RV across the country, Julie and I spent a week scouting dozens of locations outside the Bosque del Apache NWR to ensure the group had the best opportunities as the Bosque del Apache refuge continues to decline as a photographic destination. We had an epic trip!

Sandhill Crane in last light (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my recently concluded Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area (Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex), Bernardo, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 10,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.