Thousands Of Sandhill Cranes Invade The City Of San Antonio In New Mexico Every Winter And It's A Sight To Be Seen
By Monica Spencer|Published February 01, 2020
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Monica Spencer
Author
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
Winter in New Mexico is a delightful experience for all outdoor enthusiasts. Given the state’s geographic diversity, we have the option to prance through a winter wonderland on snow-covered mountains or warm-up on hiking trails and nature expeditions by heading south.
While there are plenty of areas to explore this time of year, one is the perfect migratory destination for humans and our feather friends: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Located about 1.5 hours south of Albuquerque via NM-1, this refuge is a marshy haven for thousands upon thousands of migrating birds, specifically the sandhill crane.
The visitor center provides details on the most recent feeding and roosting times for the cranes, so you can easily plan your photoshoots with the available daylight.
The refuge visitor center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. between September 1 and May 31. General admission fees start at $5 per vehicle. You can find additional details by visiting the refuge’s website or Facebook page.