Friday's workshops were held at New Mexico Tech in Socorro. Most of the workshops are usually held there every year. The first workshop of the day was another type of photography session presented by John Shipman. This gentleman believes in "portability," yet believes in getting fairly good quality photos for documentation purposes. John does not believe in carrying extras, such as tripods, adapters, and spotting scopes. He'd rather carry a 500mm lens, yet still be able to get into tight spots without having to set up a tripod. So he has managed to rig up something to his camera that is similar to one carrying a rifle or shotgun. In other words, he is able to rest the rig which the camera is attached to on his shoulder, giving him stability much like a tripod. Very interesting presentation, and his photos were very nice.
Our afternoon session was learning about New Mexico's native Americans - when they arrived, how they may have arrived, and where and how they lived. Most of the native Americans in New Mexico were Puebloans. There were some Apaches and Navajos, but they arrived later, after the Pueblo tribes arrived. The Puebloans were hunter/gatherers. The Apaches and Navajos were known to raid the homes and fields of the Puebloans. The ancient ones who lived near the Bosque del Apache were known as Piro people.
Below are photos I took on Friday while touring the refuge, following the first workshop and before attending the second workshop of the day. Note: New Mexico Tech is located in Socorro about a twenty minute drive (on Interstate 25) north of Bosque del Apache. Although we had to allow ourselves time for lunch as well as for the drive each way, we still managed to get in a brief view of the refuge before having to attend the afternoon workshop. You may want to click on the photos to see a larger image.
Both photos above and below are of sand hill cranes and snow geese out in the field eating. You can also see crows flying around in the photo below.
Located in another area of the refuge I found these mallards, two males and one female.
Here is another field where there were just sand hill cranes feeding.
Here is a close-up of some of the cranes feeding in the same field.
And here is a flock of snow geese flying over.
8 comments:
Wow, it would be great to see that many sand hill cranes. Great photos. We're involved with the Erie National Wildlife Refuge here in PA. Refuges are very worth supporting. I'd like to visit Bosque del Apache when we visit New Mexico this or next year.
Hi Linda - I sure hope you have Bosque del Apache at the top of your list! You won't regret it. I agree that NWRs are definitely worth supporting. As a matter of fact, I am a member of the Friends of the Bosque. That is how much I like what they are doing at this NWR. But I'm also aware that so many other NWRs can really use our monetary and/or voluntary support.
The last picture is excellent and has to viewed large. What a clear shot against the blue sky. It would be interesting to learn about the indigenous people in the area.
What a lovely area, I'd love to see more.
Thanks, Ruth. I found it quite interesting to learn what we did at the workshop about the indigenous people who once inhabited the Bosque area. I have learned about some of the others years ago, but this was the first time I had learned about the Piro people.
Hi Lynne. I plan on showing more photos of the area, so stay tuned. ;o) Maybe, someday you will get the chance to visit the Bosque del Apache NWR. It's a place you won't forget and won't regret.
Spectacular shots.What fun to spend time in a NWR like this.
Blessings,Ruth
Those cranes sure are ugly! Good job though :)
Did you take a picture of John Shipman and his device? I like his idea! I too like portability and might need something like that for the 400mm lens I dream about.
Thank you, Ruth. I definitely enjoyed myself. I guess that's why I return to this refuge each year. It really is something special, at least to me.
Red, funny you should ask about taking a picture of John Shipman with his equipment. While I was composing this post I thought the same thing that I should have taken a picture of him. And, no doubt, the entire time I was in this workshop I was thinking of you and that you could possibly adapt/adopt the way he chooses to photograph birds and other wildlife.
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