THE BOSQUE DEL APACHE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Established in 1939, this wildlife refuge is a vital habitat that supports huge numbers of cranes, geese, and ducks that need rest and food to support their annual migration. The Rio Grande provides water and supports vegetation that feeds the many species of waterfowl which arrive in the fall. When Spanish colonists began settling in this area they diverted water from the river to reduce flooding and irrigate crops. However, this practice disturbed the natural movement of water that was essential to the wetlands and grasses feeding the birds during their stay in the Bosque. When this 30,000 acre piece of land became a dedicated wilderness area, systems were developed to restore the flood planes to their natural cycles, ensuring the ecosystem can continue to be a haven for migratory birds and other wildlife year round.
INSPIRING SCENES
The incredible numbers of migratory birds concentrated in one place has been a draw for not only lovers of nature and wildlife, but also artists who come to experience the breathtaking sights. Photographers capture the birds and scenery on film, and others, like painter Patricia A. Griffin take the views and translate them into oil paintings that evoke the magic of this unique place.
THROUGH THE EYES OF THE ARTIST
Patricia is recognized for her use of color and texture in her wildlife paintings, skillfully capturing the life energy found in every subject. When she paints an animal she has encountered, she brings the feelings and experience of that interaction onto the canvas, allowing the viewer to step into that moment when viewing her work. When she visited the Bosque Del Apache, Patricia created several pieces from her experience amongst the birds. In these paintings, wings and feathers fill your field of vision, abstracting into patterns of light and color, demonstrating the sheer density of geese flying together.
INTERESTED IN VISITING BOSQUE DEL APACHE?
Click the link below for more details on New Mexico's National Wildlife Refuge.