Central New Mexico Audubon Society

Honors Gene Romero, General Manager of Sandia Crest House Gift Shop and Restaurant
Sandia Crest February 7, 2004

Sandia Crest, NM February 7, 2004
On this beautiful Saturday morning, over 30 members of the Central New Mexico Audubon Society (CNMAS) assembled at the Crest House to await the arrival of the rosy finches.  Ken took the above panoramic photo before opening time.  The group waited until about 10 AM before the first finches appeared.  They wheeled about in a flock of 30 to 40 birds, then visited the hanging feeder on the deck briefly several times.  All those that could be identified were Black Rosy-finches with the exception of a single Gray-crowned of the coastal (Hepburn's) subspecies. Repeatedly, the finches dive-bombed the deck area, some resting briefly on the Douglas-firs, only to re-join the flock and disappear downslope.  Ryan Beaulieu and Raymond VanBuskirk (R&R) gave a presentation on their banding project, which included a demonstration of their home-made wire bird trap.  R&R discussed finch behavior (little is known about winter site fidelity), taxonomy and anatomy (the wings of rosy-finches are remarkably long) and Ryan provided humanoid imitations of rosy-finch calls.     (Click on images for full screen views).
Waiting for the Rosy-finchesRyan and Raymond TalkCNMAS Audience









Once there was a lull in the finch activity, Elizabeth Hurts-Waitz, President of CNMAS, summoned Gene Romero, General Manager of Sandia Crest House and Restaurant, and presented him with a plaque (text below) that expressed the appreciation of birders from all over the world for the marvelous hospitality that he and his staff  have extended to them.   Attendees, who included visiting birders from Texas and Arizona,  applauded enthusiastically.  The honor recognizes the growing reputation of Sandia Crest as the most accessible location in the world for birding enthusiasts to simultaneously see all three North American species of rosy-finch .
R&R for Ryan and RaymondBeth presents plaque to Gene RomeroRaymond, Beth, Gene, Ryan, Ken












In Appreciation to
Sandia Crest House Gift Shop and Restaurant
for your Hospitality to Birders and Support of the Rosy Finch Feeding Project
--
Central New Mexico Audubon Society

SNOW SCENES-- On the way up the Crest Road, Ken captured this view of the 10K Trail Head, a favored location for Pine Grosbeaks.  None were there this morning, but Red Crossbills and  Red-breasted Nuthatches were active in the trees.  In the distance is a controlled burn and clear cut that is designed to encourage the growth of aspens.  The young aspens provide a favorable habitat for the Dusky Flycatcher, which approaches the southern limit of its breeding range in this very area.  Plan to visit in mid-May to see them!

  Click on this picture for a panorama that will scroll in your browser.
10 K Trail Head from NM-536 looking to the north, February 7, 2004











More Views in and around the Crest House on March 7, 2004.  Three feet of snow had fallen during the previous 9 days.  The west side of the Crest House had drifts up to the eaves.  While taking the shot from the rear (south), Ken plunged into a waist-high drift and had to struggle to get out!
Click on Thumbnails for full-screen views.
Crest House Entrance PanoramaEntrance FacadeCrest House Rear Panoramic View









We waited until 11:15 AM for the rosy-finches to appear.
Two MalesTwo ViewersMan ViewerSnowbouund





Rosy-finches at Sandia Crest
 Birding the Sandia Mountains
 Cedar Crest Backyard
Birds & Photos
 Birding the Manzano and Manzanita Mountains