Crane Fiesta Webinars Recordings and Featured Videos
Crane Fiesta 2020 was a mix of virtual medias. Friends of Bosque del Apache partnered with many educational, conservation, and photography groups to bring you pre-recorded featured videos, live webinars, and other virtual events.
All photography webinars are no longer available for viewing. Please enjoy our other videos and recorded webinars below.
Thursday, November 19th
Morning Fly Out
Facebook Event with Bosque del Apache staff and Friends of Bosque del Apache
It’s early, it’s dark, and it’s cold, but you’ll be joining us from the comfort of your home! When thousands of cranes and geese take flight, the sights and sounds are spectacular!
Bosque del Apache: Field Of Dreams On The Great River
Featured video by Friends of Bosque del Apache and US Fish and Wildlife Service with videographer Steve Siegel
One of the most heavily managed refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, Bosque del Apache is a part-time home to hundreds of species and a year-round home to hundreds more, including endangered and threatened species. Join Steve Siegel and USFWS for a virtual storytelling of the history and management of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Special thanks to videographer Steve Siegel
Friends wants to give a huge shout out and applause to Steve Siegel. Steve donated his time and skills to help us product many educational videos for this event and more! Please visit his website to see more of his wonderful productions.
39 Days
Featured video by Nancy Merrill
Sponsored by The Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition
Sandhill cranes mate for life and their young will stay with them for up to ten months – even to their wintering grounds at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. This video filmed in the Yampa Valley of Colorado follows a sandhill crane pair and their colts from nesting to hatching to growth to migration.
Birds of Prey: Introduction to the Deadly Beauty Series
Featured video with Sandra Noll
Sponsored by Friends of Bosque del Apache
Species making up the family of Raptors, aka Birds of Prey include masters of the wind and soaring, a prominent national symbol, and the fastest creature on the planet. Sandra Noll weaves information, photography and story into an educational and entertaining overview of this family of birds. Created as an introduction to falconer Matt Mitchell’s webinars the program also stands on its own as an informative overview of the family of raptors.
Crane Basics
Webinar with Sandra Noll and Erv Nichols
Sponsored by Friends of Bosque del Apache
When watching a group of sandhill cranes, did you ever wonder, “What’s up with those birds?” Crane Basics is your opportunity to make sense of crane biology and behavior and gain knowledge that will significantly enhance your crane watching experience. Explore into crane migration, family life, body language, and vocalizations through photographs, captivating video, and a bit of humor too in this live webinar!
Friends of Bosque del Apache: Our Flyway, Our Refuge, Our Home
Video by Friends of Bosque del Apache with videographer Christi Bode
We explore Bosque del Apache and the surrounding area because of our love for wildlife and wild landscapes. We are a part of a community, a diverse and interesting community that includes the wildlife that live in the Socorro Valley or visit often. It also includes our passionate community of conservation groups and concerned citizens that care about the refuge, the Rio Grande, and continental flyways. In this featured video, we will learn more about the diverse community members and their perspectives on the Rio Grande, our local area, the birds that join us each year, and the importance of refuges to all life on our planet.
Evening Fly In
Sponsored by Bosque del Apache staff and Friends of Bosque del Apache
As the shadows grow long and the sun begins to set, thousands of geese and cranes return to the nighttime safety of the wetlands on the refuge. Tune in to view this spectacular scene!
Friday, November 20th
Fort Craig Virtual Tour
Featured video with Public Lands Interpretive Association
Sponsored by the Public Lands Interpretive Association
Join a professional archaeologist and professor for a tour of the historic ruins of Fort Craig. Situated in the stark beauty of Socorro County, New Mexico and nestled along the Rio Grande Valley, Fort Craig played a critical role in frontier campaigns and is associated with many notable Native figures, including Geronimo, Victorio, and Nana. Other prominent figures whose stories are interwoven with Fort Craig include those of Kit Carson, Rafael Chacón, Captain Jack Crawford, as well as the famous 9th Cavalry, better known as the Buffalo Soldiers. The tour will focus on Fort Craig’s significance during the American Civil War and the Pyrrhic Confederate victory at the Battle of Valverde, which was fought nearby.
Raptor Identification
Live webinar with Catherine Sandell, USFWS Volunteer
Join USFWS volunteer and expert birder Catherine Sandell in this raptor identification webinar and learn about the raptors that can be found at Bosque del Apache. This will be an interactive webinar with Catherine giving a detailed presentation and a questions and answer portion at the end.
Unfortunately the first five minutes of this presentation recording is missing. Please enjoy the last 45 minutes.
Land Witness Project: Climate Crisis from the Front Lines
Part 1
Featured video by the Land Witness Project
Sponsored by the Land Witness Project
This featured series will focus on communities and individuals who are experiencing changes from rising temperatures, forest fires, lack of snow pack and extreme drought conditions. Meet Kevin Cobble, former refuge manager of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Deeply aware of the magical beauty, ecological importance and economic value of the Bosque del Apache, Kevin shares stories that even frequent visitors may not be aware of. He points out the visible, harmful impacts of climate change on Bosque del Apache, and highlights the many positive steps that have already been taken to protect the refuge from increasing heat and lack of water. Part 2 of this series is offered Saturday, November 21st at 9:00 AM MDT.
For more info about the Land Witness Project:
Website: https://www.landwitnessproject.com
Instagram: @landwitnessproject
Twitter: @LandWitness
Facebook: @landwitnessproject
Email for questions or to submit your story: landwitnessproject@gmail.com
Deadly Beauty Behavior
Webinar with Matthew Mitchell
Sponsored by Friends of Bosque del Apache
Explore the strategies that hawks and falcons use to catch their prey and raise their young. The webinar will be led by Matthew Mitchell – falconer, raptor breeder, and wildlife rehabilitator. Trained hawks and falcons will be released to fly, chase lures, and possibly even hunt wild prey (viewers be warned!).
Please watch the video before tuning into the recorded question and answer segment.
Special thanks to videographer Steve Siegel
Friends wants to give a huge shout out and applause to Steve Siegel. Steve donated his time and skills to help us product many educational videos for this event and more! Please visit his website to see more of his wonderful productions.
Cranes of the World
Webinar with Sandra Noll
Sponsored by Friends of Bosque del Apache
Join Sandra Noll for a generously illustrated program that opens with an overview of the history, art, and mythology of cranes followed by introductions to the world’s fifteen crane species. The two species specific to North America, sandhill and whooping cranes, will be given prominence. Woven throughout is the International Crane Foundation’s mission to conserve worldwide ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways upon which cranes depend.
IRIS PASSCAL Tour
Webinar with IRIS PASSCAL
Sponsored by IRIS PASSCAL
IRIS PASSCAL supports the exploration of the Earth’s crust, mantle and core to enhance fundamental understanding of earthquakes, volcanoes, crustal deformation, mantle convection, global geodynamics and the history of the continents. Dave Thomas will talk about how this Socorro-based service center supports seismology science around the globe and will share a pre-recorded tour of the facility. Learn about the mysterious Phantom Tsunami of 1700, the Socorro Magma Body that lies underneath our region, the history of quakes in Socorro, and more!
Duck Identification
Webinar with Catherine Sandell, USFWS Volunteer
Join USFWS volunteer and expert birder Catherine Sandell in this duck identification webinar and learn about the ducks that can be seen at Bosque del Apache. This will be an interactive webinar with Catherine giving a detailed presentation and a questions and answer portion at the end.
Saturday, November 21st
Morning Fly Out
Facebook Event with Bosque del Apache staff and Friends of Bosque del Apache
It’s early, it’s dark, and it’s cold, but you’ll be joining us from the comfort of your home! When thousands of cranes and geese take flight, the sights and sounds are spectacular!
Sandhill Crane or Great Blue Heron
Featured video by Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition mascot Sandy, filmed by Barry Kaplan
Sponsored by The Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition (CCCC)
Sandy, the official Yampa Valley Crane Festival mascot, pairs up with a Great Blue Heron sculpture to offer an amusing and accurate explanation of the differences between sandhill cranes and great blue herons.
Did you know that Bosque del Apache has great blue herons all year? They are rarely seen with other great blue herons, so keep an eye out for these large birds on your next trip to the refuge!
Land Witness Project: Climate Crisis from the Front Lines
Part 2
Featured video by the Land Witness Project
Sponsored by the Land Witness Project
This featured series will focus on communities and individuals who are experiencing changes from rising temperatures, forest fires, lack of snow pack and extreme drought conditions. Meet Lorenzo Candelaria, farmer/owner of Cornelio Candelaria Organics in Albuquerque’s South Valley. With a twinkle in his eye and the cultural wisdom of generations of his family’s life on the Atrisco Land Grant, Lorenzo’s passion for community based, sustainable agriculture is infectious. He raises our awareness of one of life’s essentials, FOOD: where it comes from, how our food systems are endangered, and what we can do to rebuild resilient, community focused farms.
Straw Oboe- a Homemade Honker
Featured video by the Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum
People have been inspired by natural sounds throughout history, by listening to the sounds of wind, water, plants, and animals. People have imitated these sounds and invented new sounds to express themselves and communicate with others. Whistles and horns are wind instruments. Birds call to each other for locating family members, making decisions on safe places to rest, for expressing feelings of joy or worry, for many reasons. Can you use a straw, paper, tape and scissors to make an instrument that mimics the sound of a bird? Join Wonders on Wheels during Crane Fiesta 2020 to make your instrument!
Prairie Dogs in Peril
Webinar with James E. Trever from Prairie Dog Pals
Sponsored by Prairie Dog Pals of Albuquerque
James E. Trever from Prairie Dog Pals of Albuquerque will show a live prairie dog and a presentation for adults (and one for kids listed separately) describing the biology of the prairie dogs. The presentation will include two videos depicting their behavior in their burrows and the humorous “jump yips” of the black tail prairie dog. James will lead a discussion about the amazing language of the prairie dogs and how intelligent these animals are. He will also talk about the struggles that this keystone species face today. James will take questions as time permits.
Please note that this webinar recording had a few technical troubles at the beginning.
Prairie Dogs in Peril: Wildlife Zone Program
Webinar with James E. Trever from Prairie Dog Pals
Sponsored by Prairie Dog Pals of Albuquerque
James E. Trever from Prairie Dog Pals of Albuquerque will show a prairie dog and a presentation for kids (and one for adults listed separately) describing the biology of prairie dogs. The presentation will include two videos depicting their behavior in their burrows and the humorous “jump yips” of the black tail prairie dog. James will lead a discussion about the amazing language of the prairie dogs and how intelligent these animals are. He will also talk about the struggles that this keystone species face today. James will take questions as time permits.
Please note that this webinar recording had a few technical troubles at the beginning.
Share with Wildlife
Video by The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
What is Share with Wildlife? The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s non-game enhancement program funded by donations from the public. Each year, the program distributes funds for non-game focused projects including non-game wildlife research, education, rehabilitation (i.e., wildlife rescue, treatment, and care), and habitat purchase and improvement projects. This video feature will introduce you to this key and vital component of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Deadly Beauty: Raptors and Man
Webinar with Matthew Mitchell
Sponsored by Friends of Bosque del Apache
Join falconer and wildlife rehabilitator Matthew Mitchell with his free-flying raptors as he highlights the interconnectedness of birds of prey in our lives. The discussion will focus on falconry, captive breeding, and raptor rehabilitation. We will watch trained hawks and falcons play, fly, and yes, hunt (viewers be warned!).
The first part of the webinar is a pre recorded featured video. If the webinar recording blurs the video, please watch the video in the link below and then tuning back into the question and answer portion of the webinar at 25:00 minutes into the recording.
Special thanks to videographer Steve Siegel
Friends wants to give a huge shout out and applause to Steve Siegel. Steve donated his time and skills to help us product many educational videos for this event and more! Please visit his website to see more of his wonderful productions.
Art with the archeologist and anthropologist Mary Weahkee
Featured videos by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe
Learn more about Indian Arts and culture in these two educational videos.
In the first video, Mary Weahkee, an archaeologist for the State of New Mexico, was commissioned by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe to re-create the ancient craft of making a blanket from thousands of turkey feathers, for an upcoming exhibit. In this video, captured over a period of many months, she demonstrates every step in the process from making yucca cordage from narrow-leaf yucca leaves, to the final weaving process.
In the second video, Mary shows the process of making a Mogollon-style sandal using woven broad-leaf yucca combined with fiber cordage from narrow-leaf yucca, reproducing a technique used hundreds and possibly thousands of years ago.
Migrating with Sandhill Cranes
Webinar with Sandra Noll and Erv Nichols
Sponsored by Friends of Bosque del Apache
This webinar documents Erv Nichols and Sandra Noll’s six-month journey following sandhill crane migration from wintering grounds in New Mexico through mid-continent flyway staging areas in Colorado and Nebraska to breeding grounds in Alaska. The narrative is enhanced by serendipitous encounters with nature and wildlife along the way. Interesting information and stunning photography are woven into an entertaining tapestry of their journey and relationship with this remarkable bird.
Catfishing Fun: Wildlife Zone Program
Featured video by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will provide basic information in regard to fishing around Bosque del Apache for catfish species. Catfishing spots can be found from San Acacia all the way to Caballo Lake. Species of catfish, equipment needs, regulations, and many more points will be covered. Catfishing is a relaxing sport that can provide fabulous protein for the family while allowing those who participate in the sport an opportunity to enjoy nature and to see some birds too.
Evening Fly In
Sponsored by Bosque del Apache staff and Friends of Bosque del Apache
As the shadows grow long and the sun begins to set, thousands of geese and cranes return to the nighttime safety of the wetlands on the refuge. Tune in to view this spectacular scene!
How to draw a Mallard: Junior Duck Stamp
Featured video by Friends of Bosque del Apache and artist Laura Carlson
Friends partnered with Laura C. Carlson as they teaches us how to draw a mallard and educate us on the Junior Duck Stamp Contest.
The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is a dynamic art- and science-based curriculum that teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school.
The program encourages students to explore their natural world, invites them to investigate biology and wildlife management principles and challenges them to express and share what they have learned with others.
The winning artwork from a national art contest serves as the design for the Junior Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces annually. This $5 stamp has become a much sought after collector’s item. One hundred percent of the revenue from the sale of Junior Duck stamps goes to support recognition and environmental education activities for students who participate in the program.
Students submit their artwork with completed entry form to their state coordinator for judging by the entry deadline (differs for each state)
Rules include:
Artwork must be 2-dimensional depicting a native North American waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans)
Original artwork only
Final piece must be 9″x12″ landscape orientation, with no mat/frame/border, 1/4″ thick or less
Students may choose to sign their work, but only on the back (writing on the front may disqualify the piece from judging)
Computer generated or 3-dimensional artwork is not accepted
Visit the Junior Duck Stamp website for a list of species, complete list of rules, state coordinators, and the curriculum!
https://www.fws.gov/birds/education/junior-duck-stamp-conservation-program.php