Bosque del Apache Workshop Logistics

Meet and Greet (optional)

Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

For those that can make it, we will meet for a “meet-and-greet” dinner at the Bodega Restaurant in Socorro on the night before the workshop between 7 pm ~ 9:00 pm.  Dress is casual.

If your travel schedule does not allow you to make the “meet-and-greet”, no problem!  All the pre-workshop information will be sent out beforehand, so you will not miss out on anything

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Male Northern Harrier bathed in sunset light at the Bosque del Apache.

Thursday, November 14, 2019, 5:30 AM

  • We will meet on the dirt refuge road about 300 yards to the south of the “Flight Deck” on the refuge.
  • Carpooling from Socorro makes good sense.  Please contact me if you will not be at the meet & greet on Wednesday.
  • Please be on time, 5:30AM, ready to photograph (gloves, tripod, headlamp)
  • Allow 30 minutes drive time from Socorro
  • Please drive carefully and watch for wildlife
  • Please dim your lights and minimize noise on the refuge
  • Directions from Socorro to morning meeting spot
  • We will meet at other locations, to be announced in person, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday mornings

Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes huddled in the deep cold of a Bosque del Apache dawn.

Preparations

  • Clothing.  Mornings and evenings at the Bosque del Apache are very cold (frigid).  Mid-day can be very warm.
    • Dress in layers.
    • Bring gloves you can wear while photographing, and warm boots.
    • Bring a sun-hat and sunscreen for the afternoons.
  • Prepare your setup in your warm hotel room before arriving at the refuge
    • Have tripod ready to go when you arrive
    • Good lenses for the morning include: { 24-70mm, 70-300mm, 100-400mm, or 150-600mm}.
    • Pre-dawn photography will use live view mode, on a tripod, exposure bracketing, 2-second shutter delay.  It helps to familiarize yourself with these settings on your camera before arriving at the Bosque del Apache in the dark.
  • The best light occurs very early, well before sunrise
    • Great color in the sky starts at nautical twilight
    • Nautical twilight Nov 14, 2019 is at 5:42AM
    • Ideal conditions = no wind –> water mirrors the colors of the sky

Sandhill Cranes flying out to forage in the dawn light at the Bosque del Apache.