2020-12-18&19 At The Bernardo Unit – Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex

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40 Photos

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius — **American Kestrel**
*(Falco sparverius)*

**Description:**
Hand-holding a heavy 800mm lens assembly is a dicey proposition, but I got lucky with this kiting kestrel. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:18 15:14

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4629.57 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** AmericanKestrel_D5X8855-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **American Kestrel**
*(Falco sparverius)*

**Description:**
Hand-holding a heavy 800mm lens assembly is a dicey proposition, but I got lucky with this kiting kestrel. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:18 15:14

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4629.57 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** AmericanKestrel_D5X8855-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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American Robin - Turdus migratorius — **American Robin**
*(Turdus migratorius)*

**Description:**
Robins seemed to enjoy the hanging fruit in the bosque by the pond. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:18 15:09

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4647.44 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** AmericanRobin_D5X8850-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Cooper's Hawk - Accipiter cooperii — **Cooper's Hawk**
*(Accipiter cooperii)*

**Description:**
Where small birds forage, so forages the Cooper’s Hawk. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:19 11:26

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4668.64 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** CoopersHawk_D5X9784-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Dark-Eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis — **Dark-Eyed Junco**
*(Junco hyemalis)*

**Description:**
Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:19 11:37

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4672.22 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** DarkEyedJunco_D5X9870-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus — **Killdeer**
*(Charadrius vociferus)*

**Description:**
Standing water under the dormant trees by the pond seemed a good place for this Killdeer to forage. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:18 14:54

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4646.17 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** Killdeer_D5X8720-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Loggerhead Shrike - Lanius ludovicianus — **Loggerhead Shrike**
*(Lanius ludovicianus)*

**Description:**
Shrikes are fierce predators, and this one was looking for a meal. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:19 12:21

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4643.04 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** LoggerheadShrike_D5X9978-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Northern Harrier - Circus hudsonius — **Northern Harrier**
*(Circus hudsonius)*

**Description:**
The fields of standing corn stalks seemed to interest this male harrier. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:18 14:26

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4664.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** NorthernHarrier_D5X8409-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Red-Winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus — **Red-Winged Blackbird**
*(Agelaius phoeniceus)*

**Description:**
The fields of standing corn stalks attracted large flocks of female and first year male blackbirds. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:18 15:45

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4668.57 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/8000

**File Name:** RedWingedBlackbird_D5X9226-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Ring-Necked Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus — **Ring-Necked Pheasant**
*(Phasianus colchicus)*

**Description:**
It surprised me when this cock pheasant charged in my general direction. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:19 12:05

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4628.17 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** RingNeckedPheasant_D5X9936-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Sandhill Crane - Antigone canadensis — **Sandhill Crane**
*(Antigone canadensis)*

**Description:**
Cranes visiting this small reserve outnumbered those at nearby Bosque del Apache this winter. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:18 14:19

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4664.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** SandhillCrane_D5X8356-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Sandhill Crane - Grus canadensis — **Sandhill Crane**
*(Grus canadensis)*

**Description:**
Cranes visiting this small reserve outnumbered those at nearby Bosque del Apache this winter. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:18 14:33

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4664.24 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** SandhillCrane_D5X8479-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Say's Phoebe - Sayornis saya — **Say's Phoebe**
*(Sayornis saya)*

**Description:**
The roadside edges of the cornfield provided opportunities for this bird to hunt its insect prey, and for photographers to snap portraits. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:18 15:18

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4635.08 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/8000

**File Name:** SaysPhoebe_D5X8930-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Snow Goose - Anser caerulescens — **Snow Goose**
*(Anser caerulescens)*

**Description:**
Geese at this small reserve outnumbered those at nearby Bosque del Apache this winter. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2020:12:18 15:27

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4645.67 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/8000

**File Name:** SnowGoose_D5X8964-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia — **Song Sparrow**
*(Melospiza melodia)*

**Description:**
Song Sparrows, robins, towhees, juncos and killdeer haunted the woodland thickets near the pond. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.
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**Date Taken:** 2020:12:19 11:08

**Location:**

Bernardo
Bosque, New Mexico
United States
4664.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** SongSparrow_D5X9759-Bernardo_Unit

© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Hand-holding a heavy 800mm lens assembly is a dicey proposition, but I got lucky with this kiting kestrel. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

Robins seemed to enjoy the hanging fruit in the bosque by the pond. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

Where small birds forage, so forages the Cooper’s Hawk. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Dark-Eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis

Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Dark-Eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis

Juncos seemed abundant in the small wooded grove near the pond. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

Standing water under the dormant trees by the pond seemed a good place for this Killdeer to forage. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

Loggerhead Shrike

Lanius ludovicianus

Shrikes are fierce predators, and this one was looking for a meal. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

The fields of standing corn stalks seemed to interest this male harrier. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

The fields of standing corn stalks attracted large flocks of female and first year male blackbirds. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Ring-Necked Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

It surprised me when this cock pheasant charged in my general direction. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Ring-Necked Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Ring-Necked Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

Cranes visiting this small reserve outnumbered those at nearby Bosque del Apache this winter. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis

Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis

This juvenile crane had something to say. Crane numbers at this small reserve outnumbered those at nearby Bosque del Apache this winter. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

Jousting occasionally occurs among cranes when testosterone levels elevate. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis

Foraging cranes usually have sentrys posted to look out for danger. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

The roadside edges of the cornfield provided opportunities for this bird to hunt its insect prey, and for photographers to snap portraits. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Geese at this small reserve outnumbered those at nearby Bosque del Apache this winter. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

The Manzano Mountains made an interesting backdrop for the hordes of geese in flight over the Bernardo reserve. Geese numbers at this small reserve exceeded those at nearby Bosque del Apache this winter. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

I enjoyed watching the swarms of white geese murmurating in front of this grand old cottonwood tree. Geese numbers at this small reserve exceeded those at nearby Bosque del Apache this winter. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Late in the day, the flocks of geese that had been maneuvering over the farthest fields, sailed over and landed in front of us. Geese numbers at this small reserve exceeded those at nearby Bosque del Apache this winter. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

I hadn’t planned to photograph geese during this second morning tour, but when I met them so close to the road, I changed my mind. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

The blue morph of Snow Goose is sometimes called a Blue Goose. I hadn’t planned to photograph geese during this second morning tour, but when I met them so close to the road, I changed my mind. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Juvenile Snow Geese can be distinguished from the adults by their overall grayish tone. I hadn’t planned to photograph geese during this second morning tour, but when I met them so close to the road, I changed my mind. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

Song Sparrows, robins, towhees, juncos and killdeer haunted the woodland thickets near the pond. Precisely halfway between Albuquerque and Bosque del Apache is the state reserve at Ladd S. Gordon’s Bernardo Unit, where cranes and geese are now visiting more than at Bosque.