An incredible spectacle, witnessing thousands of birds lift off the pond at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is nothing short of majestic. The sounds and sights are breathtaking as Sandhill cranes, snow geese and ross’s geese provide visitors with an unforgettable experience. Located in New Mexico, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge sees its highest numbers of birds from early November to late January.  Near dawn, the geese take off en masse in search of fields throughout the Middle Rio Grande Valley to feed in for the day. Smaller groups of sandhill cranes then leave the safety of the water for the same reason. Check the sunrise time and head to the visitor center to learn the most recent roosting and feeding sites, as they can change through the winter. Photo by Ian Shive, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.