Another trip to New Mexico! This time I was headed for Socorro for something different. Winter is when the sand hill cranes. I've been here a couple of times, maybe the last time 10 years ago. There was a period of time that I did shoot birds like this, but I haven't really focused on it in some time. The workshop I attended wasn't strictly a birding shoot, instead it was more artistic interpretation using high key, slow shutter speed and intentional camera movement.

Socorro is closer to the middle of the state and this was winter time, so I took the southern route this time taking I-8 to the I-10. I decided to overnight in Benson to check out somethings I haven't seen before. This was another workshop that started on a week day, so I stayed in Benson a couple of nights. I had plans to see Tombstone and Bisbee but then I also learned that the sand hill cranes stopped at Whitewater Draw. I made a big loop starting at Whitewater Draw for sunrise, down to Bisbee, to Tombstone and back to Whitewater Draw for sunset.

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge used to be the prime spot for cranes. They have a great setup with different ponds and backgrounds, but the birds are not coming back in the numbers they used to. There used to be corn fields here that drew them in but the ground water has gotten salty and the corn doesn't grow as well. They are trying to find new varieties but for now the cranes gather in Bernardo Wildlife Area just to the north of Socorro. The main pond we shot from in Bernardo has a lot of man made clutter that you have to shoot around or edit out. There are some sight lines that are better especially if you are looking for back lit or high key images.

As the workshop ended, a major snow storm was forecast to hit us overnight. Folks flying home did some scrambling to get flights rescheduled. I wasn't too worried as I was technically heading south. I did get up early and we were under heavy overcast. I wanted to go over the VLA radio telescope which is near by and sort of on the way home. The drive to the VLA was fine, but while I was there shooting pictures I started getting some snow flurries. I was driving out Route 60, as I got east of the VLA I started seeing some patches of snow in the shady areas, but nothing to worry about. From 60, I headed south on route 12, to route 180, to route 78, to route 191 to Benson. Overall this was a great drive, it wasn't until I was well into Arizona, that I realized I had not had anyone in front of me or behind for a good 3 hours. I saw some cars heading north, but I was the only one heading south. This was great drive under these conditions, if there had been any RV traffic it might be a different story. If you have the chance to take the drive it is very scenic and runs through many small towns.