Albuquerque is the largest population center in New Mexico. This town rests in the Rio Grande River Valley, a stream whose headwaters are in the highlands of central Colorado on the eastern slopes of Canby Mountain on the Continental Divide. Between 1900 and 1973, twenty-two dams were constructed along the Rio Grande. Most of the dams are upstream from Albuquerque, so much of the year the water in the river is very low. Yet woodlands along its course (called “bosques”) provide habitat for wildlife.
Built within a 270 acre state park and surrounded by the suburban sprawl of northern Albuquerque, the Rio Grande Nature Center shelters 38 acres of one such bosque. I am by-no-means an expert on this place, but can say each of my three visits here have been rewarding. Some trails through its grounds are closed to the public, but I believe they schedule morning walks regularly for guided tours through these restricted areas. I had the pleasure of attending one of these walks, where I met my first Eastern Bluebirds.
The park has replicated some of the prior flood-plain habitat in the valley before the water diversion by the dams upstream. Besides the wooded bosque, managers established several large ponds and open grassy fields mimic the wild habitat of former times. Observers have recorded over 300 bird species here, as well as mammal species such as weasels, otters, and porcupines. Reptiles, amphibians and insects and other invertebrates live here, including 40 species of dragonflies.
I look forward to my next visit to this little slice of heaven.
White-Throated Sparrow(Zonotrichia albicollis) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:20 10:35 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X7009-WhiteThroatedSparrow |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Throated Sparrow(Zonotrichia albicollis) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:20 10:35 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X7015-WhiteThroatedSparrow |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Throated Sparrow(Zonotrichia albicollis) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:20 10:39 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X7024-WhiteThroatedSparrow |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great Horned Owl(Bubo virginianus) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:20 12:21 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X7091-GreatHornedOwl-Nest |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Spotted Towhee(Pipilo maculatus) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:20 12:24 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X7103-SpottedTowhee |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Sandhill Crane(Grus canadensis) |
|
Description: Migration from Mexico riding thermals over the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:20 12:53 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X7145-SandhillCrane |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Eastern Bluebird(Sialia sialis) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:22 8:35 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D726062-EasternBlueBird |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
North American Porcupine(Erethizon dorsatum) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:22 9:27 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D726075-Porcupine |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Downy Woodpecker(Dryobates pubescens) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico 2016-03-20. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:22 9:37 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D726094-DownyWoodpecker |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Downy Woodpecker(Dryobates pubescens) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico 2016-03-20. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:22 9:38 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D726115-DownyWoodpecker |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Screech-Owl(Megascops kennicottii) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:22 10:00 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D726130-WesternScreechOwl |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Screech-Owl(Megascops kennicottii) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:22 10:08 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D726165-WesternScreechOwl |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Eastern Bluebird(Sialia sialis) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:22 10:49 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: D726217-EasternBlueBird |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Eastern Bluebird(Sialia sialis) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:22 10:54 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: D726232-EasternBlueBird |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Eastern Bluebird(Sialia sialis) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:22 11:02 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D726324-EasternBlueBird |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Chinned Hummingbird(Archilochus alexandri) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center near Albuquerque New Mexico 2003-08-22. |
Date Taken: 2003:08:22 15:49 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD_0381BlackChinnedHummingbird |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Eared Slider(Trachemys scripta) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center near Albuquerque New Mexico 2003-08-22. |
Date Taken: 2003:08:22 16:00 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 |
File Name: JCD_0383RedEaredSlider |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Rufous Hummingbird(Selasphorus rufus) |
|
Description: Rio Grande Nature Center near Albuquerque New Mexico 2003-08-22. |
Date Taken: 2003:08:22 16:09 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/350 |
File Name: JCD_0395RufousHummingbird |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata coronata) |
|
Description: I found both Audubon’s and this Myrtle form of Yellow-Rumped Warbler during my visit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:22 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: YellowRumpedWarbler-Myrtle_D5X7823-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis) |
|
Description: White-Breasted Nuthatches seem to be present here at any time of the year. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:17 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteBreastedNuthatch_D5X7760-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Pine Siskin(Spinus pinus) |
|
Description: There was an abundance of Pine Siskins during my visit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:12 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: PineSiskin_D5X7656-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Pine Siskin(Spinus pinus) |
|
Description: There was an abundance of Pine Siskins during my visit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:32 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: PineSiskin_D5X7923-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Spotted Towhee(Pipilo maculatus) |
|
Description: Spotted Towhees are year-round residents in the Rio Grande Valley. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:38 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: SpottedTowhee_D5X7930-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
|
Description: I didn’t photograph the Eastern Bluebirds I saw here, but just as is shown by this Western Bluebird, both species were enjoying the mistletoe fruit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:40 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WesternBluebird_D5X7940-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Goldfinch(Spinus tristis) |
|
Description: This was my first meeting with winterized American Goldfinches. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:27 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: AmericanGoldfinch_D5X7860-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Capped Chickadee(Poecile atricapillus) |
|
Description: Tuesday at 10,600’ the chickadees I met were Mountain Chickadees. Now Wednesday, less than 15 miles away at 4900’ it was Black-Capped Chickadees. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:56 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: BlackCappedChickadee_D5X8157-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bufflehead(Bucephala albeola) |
|
Description: The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:38 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Bufflehead_D5X8084-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Canada Goose(Branta canadensis) |
|
Description: It was cold, and the geese had to contend with ice on the water. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 10:53 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: CanadaGoose_D5X7623-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Canada Goose(Branta canadensis) |
|
Description: Canada Geese were constantly moving around on the reserve during my visit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:52 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CanadaGoose_D5X8119-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
|
Description: The Gadwall I saw on the water were all males. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:28 |
|
Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X8015-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Click map markers to reveal further information
