TUESDAY FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

TUESDAY, November 18. 2008

Sandhill Crane Behavior
Workshop
5:30 am to 11:30 am Tu1 - $65
Bosque del Apache NWR, Crane1

The most comprehensive training on cranes offered at any crane festival, this morning-long workshop will teach you many of the common vocalizations, body language and other characteristics of sandhill cranes. You'll learn to recognize juveniles, tell subspecies apart, distinguish between dancing and aggression and many other details that will help you better understand and appreciate sandhill cranes. At first light we will listen to the cranes on their roosting spots to identify vocalizations and other behaviors. We then move to the classroom for breakfast and to view many behaviors on film before traveling to different locations on the Refuge to watch and interpret crane interactions. Your instructors are Paul Tebbel and Keanna Leonard. Paul has worked with cranes for 30 years, including 11 years as the director of Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary on the Platte River in Nebraska where more cranes gather every spring than any other location in the world. Keanna is the Director of Education at Rowe Sanctuary and helps over 7,000 students every year understand and appreciate cranes, wildlife habitat and the Platte River. Warm shoes and warm, layered clothing recommended. Limit 15. Offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.

 

Digital Photography with Long Lenses
Workshop
6:00 am to 6:30 pm (Tuesday-Thursday) Tu2 - $275
Bosque del Apache NWR, Lounge

This 3-day workshop is designed for those eager to learn how to photograph the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge using a digital SLR camera. Professional wildlife photographer and naturalist Jerry Goffe and his co-instructors will conduct a 3-day experience on wildlife and nature photography. Included are both classroom and hands-on experience at the Refuge. Proven techniques and tips will be utilized while photographing sandhill cranes, geese, other animals and landscapes of the Refuge. The workshop will start at sunrise and go through sunset daily with classroom presentation, downloading, Photoshop, and printing and a siesta during the slow times. The workshop has been designed to give the participants copious amounts of personal assistance while out on the Refuge. Canon will be supporting the workshop with camera bodies and lenses to 600mm. Wimberley, Really right Stuff, B&H Photo, Hoodman and others also support the workshop with the use of their most popular products. Bring your camera and flash, instruction manual, media (memory) cards, laptop if you have one, tripod, layered clothing and a sense of excitement. Meet at the Visitor Center Tuesday morning at 6:00. Limit 20. Breakfasts and lunches included.

 

Deadly Beauty Behavior
Workshop
8:00 am to 11:30 am Tu3 - $15
San Antonio, Owl Bar Parking Lot

Explore the hunting strategies that hawks, falcons, and eagles use to catch their prey with falconer and wildlife rehabilitator Matthew Mitchell. Trained hawks and falcons will be released to fly, chase lures, and possibly even hunt wild quarry (viewers be warned!) This group will meet at the west side of the Owl Cafe in San Antonio at 8:00 a.m. and carpool a short distance to an area where the birds can be flown safely. Bring your questions and binoculars. Cameras are allowed, but no dogs, please.

 

Land, Sea and Air
Tour
8:30 am to 2:00 pm Tu4 - $90
Marina del Sur, Elephant Butte Lake

Sea birds, diving ducks, cormorants, grebes, white pelicans and more can be found in a dramatic geological setting at Elephant Butte Lake. Join Steve Green and Tamie Bulow for this exciting trip aboard a 44-foot twin-engine houseboat, followed by birding on land. Breakfast snacks and a full lunch, featuring locally grown and produced foods, will be served. The boat will leave promptly at 9:00 am from Marina del Sur at Elephant Butte State Park and will return to the same location around noon. From there we caravan (5-10 minutes) to the riparian area at the base of Elephant Butte Dam for more birding. Take exit 83 on I-25 and follow signs to the State Park. As the park is a 90-minute drive from Socorro, you may want to stay the night before the trip in Truth or Consequences. We will be happy to send information on accommodations close to the tour site. The price of the tour is refundable if the weather is such that the trip has to be canceled. Be sure to note your dietary requirements on the meals page of the registration form. Warm clothing is recommended. Limit 14. Offered Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

 

Arroyo de Las Cañas
Hike
12:30 pm to 4:30 pm Tu5 - $5
Owl Bar Parking Lot, Quebradas

First, drive through spectacular Chihuahuan desert scenery on the Quebradas Scenic Backcountry Byway. Then scramble into and along the rocky Arroyo de Las Cañas with naturalist Bob Merkel. These rocks and sands are evidence of Paleozoic seas, saline lagoons, and ancient beaches. The hike is on uneven ground. Sturdy shoes or boots are needed, hiking sticks are helpful, and cameras are recommended. Meet at the Owl Bar parking area in San Antonio. High clearance vehicles recommended; carpooling will be arranged from the parking area.

 

Tool Tour
Tour
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm Tu6 - $5
Bosque del Apache NWR, Crane 1

Behind the peaceful marshes, bustling cornfields and restored cottonwood forests of the Bosque del Apache NWR is a lot of work and heavy equipment. Dozers, front end loaders, excavators and other equipment are essential to the management of the Refuge. Join Refuge Operations Specialist Bernard Lujan for a tour of the tools the Refuge uses to create and maintain habitats and see some of these big machines in action.