Sandhill Cranes are here!

[Melany]

Drove over to Muleshoe a couple of days ago.
I need a longer lens I'll be driving over again to give it another shot. Maybe if I sit still long enough, they'll forget I'm there. and I'll wear my camo

[lhdvies]

Verfy nice Melany!! You're making me anxious. I'm headed to Bosque del Apache with some FMers the 7th of Dec. (Gotta buy me some REAL winter clothes LOL)

[Melany]

I had a great time at Bosque de Apache last year. I was considering driving over there and spending a few days. One whole day there from sunrise to sunset, and the next day head over to Kelly mine and VLA.
Then I thought about Muleshoe, and it's only a little over an hour away! I'll be headed back soon as the wind lets up a bit --- it was REALLY windy the day I was there. My lens was blowing around quite a bit.

If you don't have your trip planned out already; Econo Lodge in Socorro is awesome and very reasonable (The restaurant next door serves breakfast all day. Nothing else there is worth eating.) Don't forget to get green chili cheeseburgers at the Owl in San Antonio. And if you don't make the 1-hr drive out to VLA you're totally missing out.

You WILL need winter clothes -- it's freakin' cold out there especially before sunset and the temps always drop just after sunrise.

[tdoran]

cool shots. What length lens do you use?

[TxPhotoShooter]

Mel, I like your shots. Could you tell us where in Muleshoe? And where are the other places you mentioned; Bosque del Apache, Kelly mine and VLA(?).

Thanks

[Melany]

Muleshoe NWR is south of Muleshoe along Hwy 214.
There are three areas, but the Cranes roost at Paul's Lake on the east side of 214.
Bosque del Apache is AWESOME, south of Alburquerque near San Antonio NM. Never pass up a chance to go here!

Kelly Mine and VLA are near Soccorro NM - it's between Albq and San Antonio. If you stay in a hotel, you'll be staying in Soccorro. The mine and VLA are just east of it, up in the mountains. It's easy to see all 3 places in one weekend.