Just before sunlight hits New Mexico’s Bosque del
Apache National Wildlife Refuge in November, visitors can hear the
squawking of ducks, geese and cranes. In a roar of wings, thousands
of these birds take flight at dawn – an event most viewers consider
a highlight of the annual Festival of the Cranes. “Then, during the
fly-in, there is wave after wave of cranes and snow geese landing,”
says refuge volunteer Anna Appleby. The annual festival started in
1989, and now offers visitors a chance to tour the refuge with a
biologist, learn about nature photography or take an on-the-water
birding tour to see sandhill cranes, cormorants, western grebes and
white pelicans, among others.
To order a brochure
or to register for the Festival of the Cranes, Nov. 16-19 in
Socorro, N.M., call 505/835-0424 or check out
www.friendsofthebosque.org.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline A whir of wings.
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