Starting in mid-November, the Rio Grande river has become the temporary home for thousands of migratory birds, including Sandhill cranes, and Canadian geese, according to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Migratory birds are attracted to flooded fields and wetlands with reliable food supply. The local Bosque ecosystem provides this habitat, with Albuquerque being within one of the four major bird migration corridors in the United States, according to the National Fish and Wildlife Service.
These ideal conditions are increasingly less reliable as the Rio Grande river water becomes scarce from less snowpack, according to Source NM. Dry conditions were visible this year as ponds once filled to their banks and teeming with geese and herons last year were now cracking soil with mud puddles, and hikers could walk on soil that was once the river.
Dry bosque conditions limit habitat for birds, insects and other species that provide essential nutrition, causing some scientists to predict that if this trend continues migratory birds will avoid New Mexico entirely in decades to come, according to Source NM.
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88
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PHOTOSTORY: ABQ Bruja Fest features wicked creations, local artists
October 13Expo New Mexico hosted the ABQ Bruja Fest on October 10–11, featuring all things wicked and magical. This fest offers a space for Albuquerque community members to showcase witchcraft activities and gifts with a variety of vendors, workshops and performances. Some vendors offered palm and tarot readings. Others sold candles, incense, brooms, crocheted goods, jewelry, crystals, art and more. Trinity Ayers is a freelance photographer for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com and on X @DailyLobo
PHOTO STORY: Casa Flamenca hosts Balloon Fiesta Tablao
October 12Casa Flamenca in Old Town provides a space for dancers to perform the traditional Spanish tablao, featuring a small stage in a cozy setting where dancers and musicians perform in the same space. During the performance, audience members gather near the stage to view the action up close. The Casa Flamenca Balloon Fiesta Tablao was held during Balloon Fiesta week, so while the balloons went up, the dancing shoes came out at Casa Flamenca. Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
Ice Wolves downed by Odessa Jackalopes
October 7On Sept. 11, the New Mexico Ice Wolves and the Odessa Jackalopes were set to face off in Albuquerque. Right before the game started, both teams were warming up to play, and there were hockey pucks being thrown all over the rink. After the warm up, both teams went back into the locker room, before coming back out a little later to see the colorguard and also hear the national anthem. There was also a moment of silence for victims of the 9/11 attacks in 2001. After the game began, there were players coming on and off of the bench all game. The Jackolopes started off with the lead, but the Ice Wolves quickly tied the game 1-1. While tied, New Mexico struggled to get another point for the rest of the game. Although the Ice Wolves put up a good fight, they ended up losing the game 3-1. Cayden Flores is a freelance photographer at the Daily Lobo. They can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
