Roswell, New Mexico: day 3

We've settled into a nice rhythm of home schooling all morning and then eating lunch in the camper and then venturing out.  Today's adventure included a propane refill stop (we went through a whole 30 lb bottle in about 5 days/nights -- due to cold temperatures and using our oven a lot).  After that errand, we drove about 15 minutes to Bitter Lake National Wildlife Center.  We were the only visitors and it was so peaceful to have the place to ourselves.  It is a home to migratory birds -- and dragonflies in warmer weather.  

Here's a snippet from the park's website: Bitter Lake is an ecological crossroad where the Chihuahuan Desert meets short grass prairie, the Pecos River and the Roswell artesian basin. The blending of these different ecological conditions has created some unusual biological conditions.  Here you will find wetland-dependent species interacting with desert creatures.

The abundant water supply draws a documented 357 species of birds to the refuge.  This in addition to the 59 species of mammals, more than 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, 24 types of fish, and more than 100 species of dragonflies and damselflies are found in this oasis.

The refuge’s wetlands provide habitat for thousands of migrating lesser sandhill cranes, Ross and snow geese and about 20 duck species, including northern pintails, mallards, canvasbacks, gadwalls, northern shovelers and four species of teal; the cinnamon, American, green and blue-wing, and blue-wing.

       

We were fortunate enough to see some Sandhill Cranes (they get up to 5' tall!) and Snow Geese from a distance -- and some ducks up close.  My favorite moment was when the snow geese started flying all together - it was really beautiful!  Next time I'll pack my binoculars -- and maybe arrive at dusk if you get the chance to visit.