A Family of Sandhill Cranes

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 19, 2021: These 3 Sandhill Cranes are most likely a family unit. The parents stay in a monogomous relationship year after year laying 1-3 eggs every nesting season with usually only one surviving. The colt will stay with the parents until the spring when it finally goes out on its own.

A Pair of Sandhill Cranes

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 19, 2021: A pair of Sandhill Cranes make their way to their nighttime resting place.

Moon rise over Bosque

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 19, 2021: As the moon rises over Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, birds take flight to their nighttime resting ground.

From Bosque del Apache

Moon set over Bosque

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 19, 2021: As the moon sets over the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, the morning glow of the rising sun in the east reflects its pink hue over the Chupadera Mountains to the west.

From Bosque del Apache

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From Bosque del Apache

A Thick, Dark Blanket

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 20, 2021: The number of Redwinged Blackbirds creates a thick, dark blanket over the pond almost obscuring the mountains in the backgroud.

Red-winged Blackbird Choreography

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 20, 2021: The tight cylinder of Redwinged Blackbirds disbands as something disturbs their unity.

Can You See the Funnel Shape of the Birds?

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 20, 2021: As the birds disperse, they continue their flight in a larger arc in the sky.

An Explosion

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 20, 2021: The tight cloud of Redwinged Blackbirds explodes from their tight circumfence to swarm in a cylindrical fashion above the ground.

A Cloud of Red-winged Blackbirds

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 20, 2021: A group of Redwinged Blackbirds is called a Cloud, a Cluster or a Merl and for good reason. Here you can see a tight cluster, resembling a cloud, of the birds swarming over the small pond.

Birds? Bees? Insects?

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 20, 2021: A group of Redwinged Blackbirds has taken flight in a tight cloud formation almost resembling a balloon.

Flying In

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 20, 2021: Two Sandhill Cranes make their approach to the daily feeding grounds in Bosque del Apache.

Runway Approach

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 20, 2021: It's a tight landing zone as a Sandhill Crane comes in to land among the other ducks, geese and birds feeding in the water.

A Cloud of Red-winged Blackbirds

Bosque del Apache, NM, United States - November 20, 2021: The tight cloud of Redwinged Blackbirds almost obscures the background behind them.