American Wigeon Drake, by Mike Croyle
Words and all photos by Sue & Mike Croyle
Our volunteer assignment at Bosque del Apache last year was two-fold: firstly, to interact with visitors on the tour loop and, secondly, to photograph small birds. Along the way we met many wonderful people who were passionate about the refuge. Some were wide-eyed first-time visitors who were in awe of the number of birds and animals they were seeing. Others were returnees who wanted to seek out a few more species or get re-acquainted with their favorites. Be it returnees, first-timers, or somewhere in between, it was exciting each time a visitor expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for the Bosque. We could not have had a better volunteer experience.
A few of our photos are included below. We hope you enjoy them. More of our work can be seen on Facebook at SJ Croyle and Mike Croyle.

Photo by Mike Croyle

BdA Harris’s Sparrow 7807 2xEdit 112621

Sandhill Cranes Landing

Black-throated Sparrow

Bewick’s Wren at Marsh Overlook

Brewer’s Sparrow Desert Arboretum

Male House Finch

House Sparrows Juvenile Desert Arboretum

Male Lesser Goldfinch

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Merlin

Phainopepla female

Phainopepla male

Pyrrhuloxia male

Male and female Redheads

Ring-necked Duck

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Savannah Sparrow

Says Phoebe

Western Meadowlark

Immature White-crowned Sparrow

yellow-rumped Warbler fem Myrtle BdA DSC 1010 2XEdit 012522