mjh's blog » photos

Los Lunas – Belen – Bernardo Birding Daytrip

mjh — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:25:26 +0000

I took a day trip to various birding hotspots south of Albuquerque, but not as far south as Mecca (Bosque del Apache). My guide was Birding Hot Spots of Central New Mexico, by Judy Liddell and Barbara Hussey, plus GPS and some time spent with Google Earth beforehand. One trip is not enough to evaluate these spots – their inclusion in the book may be enough of a rating. Certainly, I will return to Bernardo, which is so much closer than Mecca but *almost* as beautiful and bird-full (no place is as beautiful as Bosque del Apache). I wish Bosque del Apache would mimic the blinds and overlooks at Bernardo, which has two fantastic trails through high bushes around a pond.

Highlights included quite a few kestrels, a northern harrier at Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area, lots of sandhill cranes and snow geese, a song sparrow, and several rufous-sided towhees, all at Bernardo.

Los Lunas – Belen – Bernardo, New Mexico

Note: Photos contain GPS data and can be mapped online.

I had not luck locating Belen Waterfowl Management Area off Jarales Road (a lovely drive). The official map of the area is dreadfully vague. Nor did I see any indication along the road of Casa Colorada WMA.

See Judy Liddell’s blog for much more information: It’s a bird thing…

Los Lunas – Belen – Bernardo Birding Daytrip is a post from: Ah, Wilderness!. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

Tweet This Share on FB Gmail this

Northern Harrier and prey in the Rio Grande

mjh — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:00:09 +0000

mjhinton posted a photo:

south of Montaño bridge, as seen from the Aldo Leopold Trail, near the Rio Grande Nature Center.

The Rio Grande Bosque is a treasure we all need to visit more

mjh — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:29:43 +0000

We’ve walked in various parts of the bosque (riparian woods, primarily cottonwoods) within Albuquerque over the years. A year ago, our walk resulted in one of my favorite photos of the year (coyote with ducks, a prize winner). This year, we watched a Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk) stand in the river, one foot pinning its prey in the current. And there was a disheveled merlin, a handsome shoveler, a snipe, and a plethora of robins. I’ve added 9 pictures to the album (19 total).

A Walk in Albuquerque’s Bosque

The Rio Grande Bosque is a treasure we all need to visit more is a post from: Ah, Wilderness!. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

Tweet This Share on FB Gmail this

fuse the best parts of both

mjh — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:47:11 +0000

mjhinton posted a photo:

fixed using Windows Live Photo Gallery www.mjhinton.com/help/?p=1388

Stunning kingfisher photos from Israel by the Birdchick

mjh — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:00:00 +0000

Dynamite Kingfishers Of The Hula Valley : Birdchick

One of the big highlights visiting the Hula Valley in Israel was all the kingfisher action. This is a pied kingfisher, about the size and shape of belted kingfishers but are all crazy black and white. [Copyright © Birdchick.]

Dynamite Kingfishers Of The Hula Valley : Birdchick

Follow the link to see more great photos of different kingfishers.

Stunning kingfisher photos from Israel by the Birdchick is a post from: Ah, Wilderness!. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

Tweet This Share on FB Gmail this

garden spider

mjh — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 01:48:40 +0000

mjhinton posted a photo: This spider built a web attached to our clothesline in early November.

garden spider is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

Ocellated turkeys of Tikal.

mjh — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:04:24 +0000

mjhinton posted a photo: in Guatemala

Ocellated turkeys of Tikal. is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

one handsome turkey, and he knows it

mjh — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:04:14 +0000

mjhinton posted a photo:

in Guatemala

uh-oh, the merlin sees me

mjh — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:57:56 +0000

mjhinton posted a photo:

This time of year, I see merlins almost daily in the middle of Albuquerque, and the Cooper's hawks less often. This one was having breakfast. I took quite a few shots before he lost patience with me, as you can see.
www.flickr.com/photos/mjhinton/tags/merlins/

monarch butterfly on chamisa

mjh — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:42:54 +0000

mjhinton posted a photo: The chamisa in our neighborhood is abuzz with hundreds of bees, as well as, many different butterflies.

monarch butterfly on chamisa is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh