Bosque/Bernardo to Roswell, NM 2/8/17

February 8, Wednesday

We awake as the sky is just beginning to lighten and head back to Bosque del Apache. Often wildlife is most active in early morning or at dusk.  It is a chilly 34 degrees this morning and the temperature drops to 29 as we enter the Refuge.

We come to a wetland area with about 75 cranes, many ducks, and many photographers as well.  The cranes are just waking - some of them are still wrapped up keeping warm and seem to be quite fluffed as well.

 We set up the tripod and take a few pics which seem more end of night than beginning of morning.

 It doesn't take long for the sun to peak above the horizon and the birds become more active, walking towards the end of the shallow lake where they will take off over the next few minutes. They often prefer to sleep in shallow water like this which protects them from preditors like fox, coyote and mountain lion.  What a difference the lighting makes in photos!  By 7:10 the birds are all gone and the photographers head out as well.

 We see more javelina, deer and other birds as we slowly make the drive around the loops again.

Next we head about 30 miles north to the Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area where we were told there is a greater concentration of birds because of more food in the area.  Nice entry sign and we immediately come across a field with hundreds of cranes and geese.  

 There is also a loop drive here, along with a few trails, blinds, and platforms. There is a lot of movement.

 Around 11:00 we begin the journey east towards Texas.  We have opted to take smaller back roads and enjoy the scenery.  We soon come across the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. There are 3 sites and we first come to the Abo ruins.  All are remnants of 3 ancient Indian pueblos where Spanish friars started missions about 400 years ago.  These pueblos were thriving trade centers and traded salt from nearby salt lakes, among other things. The pueblos are pretty much buried under mounds, though there are some remains and petroglyphs.  The ruins of the missions which include multiple buildings are more visible.

We travel 8 miles or so to the Qauarai ruins which are similar.

 Next stop is a post office in a small town called MountainAir. We spot quite a few antelope along these roads before reaching Lincoln.  This is Billy the Kid territory and we stop briefly at the Lincoln State Monument, a small collection of buildings and a museum.

There is a large rock engraved by a group of Germans - the crew of a ship called Columbus - who were held here from 1941 till the end of the war. Apparently they had friendly relations with the locals. Who knows how they ended up here!

In 1901,  Dr. James Laws established a TB facility here because the clean, dry air was presumed to be good for treating the disease.  As his facility became too crowded, he built 10 of these small TB huts to house his patients and only this one remains.

We can't find any boon docking spots tonight, so end up at the Roswell Walmart for the night. As we drive into town we pass a field where a herd of antelope are nonchalantly grazing.

We walk to a nearby Chili's for dinner and call it a night.