Visit To A Weird And Interesting Site - Very Large Array

(Socorro, NM) 52 degrees, blue skies, very windy, elevation 7400 ft

Over the weekend we also visited a very unusual site called the Very Large Array, an astronomical radio observatory.  There are 27 antennas spread out over the desert about 50 miles from Socorro.  It is definitely in the middle of nowhere.  Each antenna is 82 feet and they weigh 230 tons.  Our tax dollars are at work here with the initial cost being 73 million dollars.  It was dedicated in 1980. 

Scientist monitoring all the antennas

There are 12 guided tours each year that tour the control center.  We were lucky and happened to be there for one of them.  We were told that radio astronomy is the study of celestial objects that emit radio waves. With radio astronomy, scientists are able to  study astronomical phenomena that are often invisible in other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. They can also probe the “Dark Ages” before the onset of the first stars or galaxies, and study the earliest generation of galaxies.

You can also take a self guided tour at any time.  The control center, however, can only be seen on the guided tours (first Saturday of the month). We were able to ask the scientist questions for only five minutes.  However, I am not sure I understood his answers. :)  They speak a different language here. 

Radio astronomers from all over the world analyze and explore the black holes that live at the hearts of most galaxies. These antennas can process 380 billion bits of information every second.  Whew, that is a whole lot of data. Scientist propose and bid for permission to use the antennas.  Sometimes they only can use them for a few days or hours or for several months. 

The antennas move along railroad tracks and can be arranged in four different configurations.  Currently they are in the D configuration (darn close together) and they are studying a project involving the sun. They change positions about every four months or so. 

It was worth the effort to visit this strange and unusual place. 

A Visit To The Spectacular Bosque del Apache NWR

(San Antonio, NM)  56 degrees, clear blue skies, windy

Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes

We packed up the motorhome and left White Sands National Monument for the weekend.  We have Friday-Sunday off each week and had heard about a bird watching rally that was about 2 hours away.  While we were at the FMCA rally in Farmington we joined a local club (Cuatro Estados) that has rallies in the four corners area.  We were very impressed with the campouts that were  planned for 2012 and decided to join.  This is a very active club and they offer lots of activities and side trips.   

We arrived at the Bosque Birdwatchers RV Park.  It is a very basic campground with full hook ups (mostly 30 amp).  Sites are gravel and level with very few amenities.  However, it is very convenient to the wildlife park and only $20/night.  We then drove out to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Park and went to the visitors center to get some information.  We were greeted by a very friendly volunteer who told us all about the area and where to find the birds.  There was also a very interesting 15 minute movie and a gift shop with everything a birder could ever need. 

Irrigation canals

This park has 15 RV campsites and three apartments designated for their volunteers.  It is a very active and popular program.  You need to apply in March for the winter season and it requires a four month commitment. 

The best time to visit this park is November - February.  The sandhill cranes, white snow geese, and lots of ducks have started to arrive for the winter.  The goal of refuge management is to provide habitat and protection for migratory birds and endangered species and provide the public with a high quality wildlife and educational experience.  There is a 15 mile loop to drive around the area and view the birds.  There are numerous decks to walk out onto and they also suggested using your car as a blind.  The park encompasses 12,900 acres.

Snow geese



Mule Deer

We saw irrigation canals that provide water flow and flood certain fields on a rotation basis.  Daily monitoring, mowing, and clearing keeps them functioning. The movie told us that the water levels are lowered to  create moist fields and promotes growth of native marsh plants. Marsh management is rotated so that varied habitats are always available. When mature marsh conditions are reached, the cycle is repeated. Local farmers and the refuge staff grow crops to feed and attract the birds.  This park was instrumental in saving the whopping crane from extinction. 




Angry Red Tailed Hawk

The best time to arrive is before dawn or just before sunset.  This is when the birds take off for the day and return to roost at night.  It is spectacular!  In the evening the sandhill cranes arrive in small groups announcing their arrival with lots of strange honks.   We were told that the birds trachea is 40 inches long and waves back and forth in its throat creating a very squeaky sound.  They are a very large bird but land very delicately in the water.

Sandhill cranes landing

Soon after the sandhill cranes are settled the snow geese come in.  They arrive all at one time and it is really hard to describe in words how amazing this site was to behold.  It is almost spiritual and something we will always remember.  Over 1500 birds landed all at one time in a matter of a few minutes. 

We went back the next morning and were greeted by this double rainbow.  It was beautiful and lasted a very long time.  What a great time we had here.  Next weekend is their big event where over 50,000 people arrive for the Annual Festival of the Cranes.  It is held each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving.  There will be lots of seminars and tours and reservations are made in September.  However, there were very small crowds this weekend.  I think we timed this just about right. 

We also made a side trip out to the Very Large Array.  I'll tell you more about that strange place in our next post.