The
North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) is a group of amateur and
professional nature photographers, as well as representatives from the photo
industry, including photo editors. Each year they gather for a week-long
conference in various parts of the country. The 2009 NANPA Summit takes place in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 18-21. Check out their website at
www.nanpa.org for details.
This
photo adventure takes place during the three days prior to the NANPA Summit, in
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Located just over an hour’s drive
south of Albuquerque and embracing over 57,000 acres of marsh, grasslands, and
desert uplands, Bosque is a magnet attracting wildlife photographers from around
the world.
The
prehistoric rattling cries of 17,000 sandhill cranes is enough to send chills of
excitement through even the most seasoned wildlife photographer. As many as
30,000 snow geese darken the skies as they take to the air. Twenty- five
thousand ducks, represented by 14 different species, add their voices to the
avian choral. Snow, Canada, and Ross’ geese, along with mallards, pintails,
and northern shovelers fill every nook and cranny in the marshes. Dozens of bald
eagles occupy the cottonwoods along the river. Roadrunners... beep, beep...hurry
about in search of their next meal. Gambel’s quail are everywhere.
Bosque
is a bird photographer’s paradise of unbelievable proportions.
Join
Us
at
one of
North
America’s Top Bird Photography Locations
Itinerary
:
Day
1 (Sunday) -
Arrive in Socorro, New Mexico, no later than 5 PM, at which time we will gather
for dinner. Afterwards, you’ll receive a briefing on what to expect during the
days ahead and instruction on photo techniques.
Day
2, 3, 4 (Monday-Tuesday)
- Sunrise will typically find you in the field listening to the sounds of
waterfowl, as you await the morning “blast off” when thousands of Snow Geese
fill the skies.
Moments
such as these, with birds silhouetted against a crimson sunrise for which Bosque
is so famous, are not soon to be forgotten and promise to please both amateur
and professional photographers alike. Sometime after the geese depart, you will
head to a nearby café for breakfast. Afterwards, it’s back to work, exploring
the Refuge and photographing its many inhabitants
Following
mornings in the refuge, it’s time for classroom; but not before enjoying lunch
at the famous Owl Cafe, home of the world’s best green chili cheeseburgers and
“killer” fries.
Afternoons are spent
photographing cranes and geese near the refuge’s northern boundary. When the
sun starts going down, we typically head for Flight Deck and catch the show as
the snows and cranes come home to roost.
So
often, we determine ahead of time how a particular subject should be
photographed, without any thought of artistic interpretation. One morning,
you’ll learn how to loosen those bonds and explore the artist within from your
sunrise vantage point overlooking Farm Loop Marsh.
Who
knows, it’s entirely possible for Coyote and...beep, beep... Roadrunner to
find their way into your viewfinder. Yes, you heard right ¾ coyote and
roadrunner are alive and well at Bosque.
Day
5 (Wednesday) -
There’s no better way to end a Bosque adventure than by returning to where it
all began -- Eagle Marsh. There, you will have one last opportunity to
photograph our avian relatives, thank them for being your subjects, and say
goodbye as they depart to nearby cornfields for their breakfast; and you, into
town for yours, after which you will head to Albuquerque in time to register for
the Summit.
This
itinerary is meant as a guide.
Weather
and other factors will dictate when, and if, we visit certain locations.
Dates: February
15-18, 2009
