Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Big Birds, Happy Healthy World. 03-29-23

Greetings from the San Cristobal, NM. This week a series of images of some of the big birds that frequent our area.

I hope you enjoy the following gallery of big birds.

Some of the largest birds in the area are the Sandhill Cranes that pass through on their migratory route. I photographed the two below in the Bosque del Apache.

Sandhill Cranes big birds in flight
Sandhill Cranes, the big birds.

The Turkey Vulture below is about to return to our area. They are known as the harbingers of Spring. If you are interested, you can read more here.

Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vulture.

I chose these images below out of a collection of photos that showed up when I searched my hard drives for large birds. It was hard to decide which to include, so I picked the ones I distinctly remember taking the shot. I went for feeling more than anything. I hope you like them. Click on an image to enlarge it.

Sandhill Cranes
Sandhill Cranes, ritual dance.

Always remember the birds at the zoo like this Flamingo. I had a stunning picture of a captive eagle in the Albuquerque Zoo published in Raptors of New Mexico.

Flamingo
Flamingo

As always, thank you for looking. Keep looking up you may be surprised by what’s above and around you. G

30 thoughts on “Big Birds, Happy Healthy World. 03-29-23”

  1. These are outstanding! How wonderful to live near such diversity. Love all the beauty you have captured. Not an easy feat!

    Reply
    • Many more over many years. Thank you, Linda. I appreciate you looking. I’m enjoying your posts from your recent travels. G

      Reply
    • You know things have a way of sneaking in the mix. Thanks so much Paul. I hope you are well and having a good spring. G

      Reply
  2. The annual return of turkey vultures (aka buzzards) is cause for celebration in Hinckly, Ohio. One of the oldest rock and roll radio stations in Cleveland, WMMS, has a cartoon buzzard as their emblem. The annual return of the buzzards is attributed to a massive game hunt in 1818 that attracted the scavenging birds which have continued to return for over 200 years. At least it makes for a good story.

    Reply
    • That’s a neat story. Thank you for sharing, Gary. I saw my first vulture of the season at 11am today over RC Gormans old place. I was surprised. Cheers Gary. G

      Reply
  3. What a fun collection. Many memories come up. Like the first time I saw a White-faced Ibis, In Colorado are you kidding me? Cunning corvids, koshares of the bird world.

    Reply
    • I first saw these ibis in Arroyo Hondo. Since then I’ve seen lots of individuals around the valley and a large flock on the CO State line. Ravens I think know know more than they let on. Thank you so much, Larry. G

      Reply
  4. Sandhills are awesome birds. We stopped off in Kearney Nebraska during fall migration. There were thousands of them.

    Reply
    • The Sandhills are wonderfully unique. I’ve not visited Kearney but with Monte Vista NWR so close and fourteen thousand foot snow capped peaks for a backdrop it’s hard to justify driving any further. Thank you for the info, David. G

      Reply
  5. Those dancing Sandhill cranes are beautifully captured. They are already migrating back here. Thanks for your blog and these latest shots.

    Reply
    • Thanks so much, Jim. The cranes are so all akimbo during the dance, this was the better of all the shots I got. Cheers. G

      Reply
  6. I love the Flamingo, such a striking colour. It’s my Granddaughter’s favourite bird. She has it on nearly everything. Mind you all the photographs are great.

    Reply

Leave a Comment