The name of the refuge means “woods of the Apache” in Spanish, named for the Apache tribes that once camped in the forests along the Rio Grande.^[4]

The heart of the refuge comprises approximately 3,800 acres (15 km²) of Rio Grande floodplain and 9,100 acres (37 km²) of irrigated farms and wetlands. In addition to this, the refuge contains 44,300 acres (179 km²) of arid grasslands and foothills of the Chupadera and San Pascual Mountains.^[5] About 30,000 acres (120 km²) of this is designated as wilderness.^[4] 

Late November to late February is the best time for large numbers of birds, typically over 10,000 sandhill cranes and over 20,000 Ross’s and snow geese. Below a few pictures of sandhill cranes early morning and at sunset.

Photos: Ulrich Jobs

Dawn Patrol

Difficult Flight Control

Coming back for the night