Snow Geese on Pond, Bosque del Apache

By December 19, 2008December 24th, 2023Birds, Bosque del Apache, New Mexico

Each morning I would watch the predawn blast off of snow geese from Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge‘s main impoundment. Each time was impressive. Afterward, I would move to the crane pools, hoping to watch the cranes take off as the sun reached them and warmed them up. One morning at one of the crane pools a large “fly in” of geese took place just as the sun was cresting the mountains in the distance. These were the same geese that had lifted off from the main impoundment pool, only to settle down again by the thousands in a new pool, backlit by a golden sunrise.

Snow geese resting, on a still pond in early morning light, in groups of several thousands, Chen caerulescens, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico

Snow geese resting, on a still pond in early morning light, in groups of several thousands.
Image ID: 21808
Species: Snow goose, Chen caerulescens
Location: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, New Mexico, USA

See more photos of snow geese and photos of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!