Sandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico

Flocks of sandhill cranes, members of the oldest living family of birds in the world, overwinter in New Mexico. As the Rio Grande was tapped, dammed, and diverted the natural wetlands dried up and as the water disappeared so did the wildlife. After years of habitat restoration by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the refuge at Bosque del Apache was established in 1939. It is a tremendous place to enjoy wildlife.