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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PHOTO STORY: World Cup watch party heats up during elimination game
July 22On Wednesday, July 15, the UNM Student Union Building atrium transformed from the quiet and empty space it becomes during the summer break into an energetic and tense environment as fans of all ages, on the edge of their seats, tuned in for the FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and England. UNM Student Activities Center has reserved the atrium for gamedays throughout the summer, offering free watch parties with light refreshments and cold beverages at each game. The room had fans cheering for both teams, with Argentina fans enlivening the SUB after Lautaro Martínez scored their last-minute goal to take the match 2-1 and punch their ticket to the Final on Sunday. Leila Chapa is the photo editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
PHOTO STORY: Local food trucks bring culinary variety to the community
June 17More variety is the key for food when people go to an event, or maybe they’re just looking for a quick and authentic bite to eat. Food trucks are the answer this summer as people are looking to recharge for the fall semester and for wider options for quick eats. For students and people around UNM, there are a number of options to fit your taste; for Mexican cuisine there’s Takoroto, for Indian cuisine there’s ABQ Desi Bites and for street food there’s Tikka Spice.
PHOTO STORY: Summertime brings new faces and good vibes to UNM
June 9It’s the start of the next phase for the University Of New Mexico's Central Campus in June as spring is over and the summer months give time for the trees and scenery to recharge for the upcoming edition of fall. Another main key for the summer season is that they allow the new students the opportunity to see the beauty of Central Campus, not being busy or crowded, and just enjoy the environment that is UNM. Incoming students can get their first introductions at features such as the Student Union Building and the Duck Pond. It also provides students the chance to learn where their next potential class may take place. A positive in regards to the campus being emptier is that it allows construction crews a better chance to get things done and fixed before the next semester. Even though campus is quiet during the season, there remains plenty of work to do to keep the campus clean before more students return in August. Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
