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Sandhill cranes, arriving at sunset        Images © Mark A. Chappell

Sandhill cranes are the iconic birds of the Bosque del Apache refuge, and it is always deeply impressive to watch them against a sunset sky as they glide in to their roosting ponds.   In November 2012, hundreds of cranes were roosting at the 'Crane Pools' along Highway 1, near the north boundary of the Refuge.   On a couple of nights we were treated to brilliant sunsets, and took advantage of the light to make 'classic' silhouette shots of the arriving birds.

  • Canon 1D4, 800 mm f5.6 IS lens, fill-in flash on some (2012, 2013)