New Mexico Weekenders

It takes time to explore 1000 years of history, and our weekenders will only give you glimpses of a past and present that fascinate everyone - prehistoric and Native cultures, Spanish heritage, Old Wild West - and of a future that makes everyone dream - astronomy, aviation and aerostation - all this in the most varied climates and landscapes. Yet, these 2-3 days expeditions are definitely interesting, and perfect for those of you who don't have much time to go and explore our beautiful state of New Mexico, as well as practice photography. This is your opportunity to do both, with the guidance of a professional photographer.
And if the dates are not convenient to you, let us know and tell us when you could go - we just might be able to accommodate you with a customized weekender just for you!


BOSQUE DEL APACHE WILDLIFE REFUGE
January 16-18, 2009
2 days/1 night (sat-sun) $375 - 3 days/2 nights (fri-sun) $499 (based on single accommodations)
Group size: 3 to 8
You provide your own transportation.

The Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge gives fantastic opportunities for spectacular photography. Thousands snow geese and sandhill cranes migrate to the refuge every winter and roost at night on several ponds. Possibility of seeing mule deers, coyotes, bald eagles and a variety of bird life. This expedition offers us the opportunity to exercise our way of looking at nature, to test our patience, to practice our skills at capturing elusive subjects, to see what is not obvious, to be one with nature.

Friday (D)
We meet in early afternoon in Socorro (1 hour south of Albuquerque) at motel tba (to be announced).
After check-in, we drive to Bosque del Apache and stay until sunset to photograph the thousands snowgeese and Sandhill cranes coming back to the ponds for the night after a day of feeding in the corn fields. No two days are alike at the Bosque and we cannot predict the weather, however we're sure to get beautiful as well as unusual shots.
Dinner in Socorro.

Saturday (B, L, D)
Drive before dawn to the Bosque for sunrise and fly-out of the birds. We have breakfast in the field.
By mid-morning, you may wish to go back to the motel and check your morning shots on laptop, or stay at the Bosque and view TV screen presentations about the Refuge at the Visitor Center.
Noon: 2-day participants meet us at the Visitor Center. We then head back to the Bosque loop to have a gourmet picnic lunch as geese and cranes feed in front of us in the cornfields or as ducks dive for food in the shallow lake (depending on our lunch location).
After lunch, we gather for an informal laptop digital presentation of select works by Carole Devillers and discussion on Bosque photography.
The afternoon is spent at the Bosque until sunset.
Dinner at the quaint Owl Cafe in San Antonio, that is famous for its green chile burgers.

Sunday (B, L)
We drive before dawn to the Bosque for sunrise and fly-out. Breakfast in the field.
In mid-morning there are several options:
Participants may opt to go on their own to the Very Large Array (VLA), sixty miles away, one of the world's premier astronomical radio observatories, that consists of 27 dish-shaped radio antennas acting as a single antenna focusing on the sounds of deep space. The VLA is used primarily by astronomers from around the world. Photography is allowed and a tour of their exhibits explains the mission of the project.
Another option is to go to the El Camino Real Heritage Center, 20 miles south of the Bosque. This extraordinary museum depicts through beautifully-done and lively exhibits the history of El Camino Real, or Royal Highway, the first road into North America from Mexico City to Santa Fe, that led to the European settlement of the New World in the 16th century.
Or participants may opt to stay at the Bosque with tour leader. There are trails that can be covered on foot in search of wildlife (deers, coyotes).
Gourmet picnic lunch at the Bosque.
Participants gone to VLA and to El Camino Real Center should return to the Bosque in mid-afternoon for sunset photography, after which the expedition ends.




Weekender Cost: $375 to $499
Reservations: A $200 per person deposit is required to secure a place on our weekenders, which can be paid via Paypal or by check. The balance is due 30 days prior to beginning of weekender.
If less than 3 participants sign up, a small-group supplement of $75pp will apply, or the weekender may be cancelled.

Cost includes: Motel accommodations based on single occupancy; meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner); services of tour leader; all taxes.

Cost does NOT include: Transportation to/from your home city (you provide your own transportation - own vehicle or rental or carpool), alcoholic beverages, items of personal nature and incidentals, entrance fees to the Bosque park ($3 per vehicle per day), entrance fees at VLA and El Camino Real, gratuities.

NOTE 1: Since we'll be leaving the motel by 5:30 AM to be on site for sunrise, we won't be able to have breakfast at the motel. Breakfast will consist of fruit, snacks, granola bars, tea and coffee, available in the tour leader's vehicle. Bottled water will be available at all times.

NOTE 2: It is below freezing in the early morning. Verrrrry cold! Dress accordingly, with layers you can take off during the day, hat, scarf, and extra socks (still, day temperatures will be in low 50's). Don't forget gloves - hand warmers are also a good idea. While waiting by a tripod, one can become very, very cold, and there is a lot of standing and not much walking.

For complete details, see our General Information page.