![Snow Geese [Chen caerulescens]](http://photographersselection.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/BiWf-3512.jpg)
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Do you like places that take your senses by storm? If you have the opportunity to visit Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, do it. This is the northern Chihuahuan Desert so the narrow band of green that follows the path of the Rio Grande River is a magnet to a wide variety of birds. The Bosque concentrates that variety into an almost mind-bending display. The numbers tell the story, 25,000 ducks, 40,000 light geese (Ross and Snow) and some years up to 14,000 Sandhill Cranes. The count does fluctuate day-to-day, week to week. This aggregation is a winter event, November through January. That is not to say the warmer months are not worthy of a visit, it’s just different. Hot temps bring out the lizards and snakes along with neotropical birds, all great subjects.
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Barbara Magnuson & Larry Kimball
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This Male Mallard is very common but look at that bright green head. It’s coloring is like a color wheel with the green, yellow and orange hues all on one bird (ok it’s a duck)
These New World Quail have quickly become some of my favorite birds to observe and photograph. I photographed this Male Gambel’s Quail while visiting Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge this winter. They tend to travel as a group, running on the ground. While I was observing them, they seem to have a large male who “herds” and directs the rest of the group to food and away from any sensed danger. The covey seem to eat and carry out their business while the “Look out Male” stands guard. He sends a warning call when danger approaches, such as a bird of prey overhead, and the flock scurries for cover. They are fascinating and beautiful and I may be completely misinterpreting their behavior but it’s fun to presume and wonder.
Before my trip to 
This Juvenile Northern Harrier was hunting in a field in Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, USA. It was flying back and forth in an area across a field where I saw it every day for 2-3 days. I originally identified it as a Red Shouldered Hawk but now realize it is really a Juvenile Northern Harrier. Raptor identification is extremely detailed and difficult!