This is the final post for the Festival of the Cranes.

Thank you Everyone!

Thank you all for making the 2011 Festival of the Cranes a great success!

We appreciate your participation - thank you everyone from all over New Mexico, the US and other countries for coming and joining us for our workshops and lectures and tours!

We invite you to attend next year, too.

We also wish to thank the many, many valued volunteers who make the Festival possible.

Thanks to the Refuge, Refuge Manager Tom Melanson, and Fish & Wildlife staff and biologists; the city of Socorro; the Friends of the Bosque del Apache NWR and our Festival Coordinators - Robyn Harrison and the Friends' executive director, Leigh Ann Vradenburg and our Bosque Nature Store Manager, Shirleen Greenwood. and our art tent participants and exhibitors

Many dedicated people work each year

to create a Festival highlighting

the beauty and importance of

the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

for all birds and wildlife which rely on it for their survival

and to create a Festival full of joy for the world we share with them

Official Bird Count as of November 17, 2011

The Festival is in Full Swing!

Refuge Biologist Official Bird Count as of November 17, 2011

Ducks .... 97,174
Canada Geese .... 285
Light Geese .... 46,264
Sandhill Cranes .... 4,511
Bald and Golden Eagles .... 5
Swans .... 0
American White Pelicans .... 0
American Coot .... 2410
Marsh and Water Birds .... 15
Shorebirds .... 6
Gulls and Terns .... 1
Hawks and Owls .... 17

This is what you've been waiting for!

Festival of the Cranes T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, collector mug and collector pin are now available for sale in our Bosque Nature Store where you can pay securely with your credit card through PayPal!

Sales from our store support the Friends many great projects- FriendsoftheBosque.org

Breaking News

The Festival of the Cranes will be using this blog exclusively from August 25 to Sept 15 to post any changes, cancellations or additions in the schedule of events for the 2011 Festival of the Cranes; and after that date, our Festival website, FestivaloftheCranes.com, and this blog will both bring you any Breaking News!

Thanks! This year will be another great Festival!

Please plan to come!

Registration for 2011 Festival of the Cranes starts September 1, 2011

2011 Registration for Festival of the Cranes does not start until September 1, 2011,

This year the procedure is different and you have an excellent online choice

which we encourage you to use.

You can, however, register by fax, mail or phone.

We look forward to seeing you this year!!

24th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES 2011
Nov 15-20, 2011
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Festival Photo Contest deadline

Festival of the Cranes Photo Contest

(please see FestivaloftheCranes.com for all rules and regs and info!)

Submissions must be received by October 21, 2011, 5:00 PM MDT.