Bosque suggested equipment list???

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Hello,
I'd like to here from some of the "Bosque" travelers as to the what they suggest for the trip. From Camera gear, to clothing, as it appears to get quite cold there.Looks like a visit in late nov, and early dec. requires some proper foot wear, and clothing, as snow is very possible, Any suggestions, and links(maybe there is a list already established) to the suppliers of the equipment would be appreaciated. Maybe i could get a head start, and save some money with sales, and begin to acquire the suggestion equipment.
Happy Holidays to All!!
Don

[Nancy A Elwood]

Don as far as camera gear the longer the better. At least a 500mm lens with TC's. The most used gear for me was the Nikon D300 and Nikon 500 f/4 lens with TC's. Dress is layers. At dawn it is VERY cold, as low as 5-8 above, can then get more comfortable after sunrise. I wore some gortex hiking boots with warmer socks, my coat was one with a zip out shell lining. Hope this helps:).

[Aravind Krishnaswamy]

In addition to a super tele, don't forget to take a medium telephoto like a 70-200, you'll definitely want that.

[Roger Clark]

Layers. Dress in layers. When I was there a couple of weeks ago it was 9F in the morning and a steady breeze. I wore long underwear, jeans, fleece pants over the jeans, then gortex pants on top of the fleece. Similar with the shirts and coats. As it warms up (sometimes into the 60s F), you can shed clothing. If you are out all day, you can go the visitor's center restrooms and change out of your long underwear.

Also bring lots of memory cards. And spare batteries for the cold.

Often in the afternoons, I am down to just jeans and a heavy shirt, although this last trip never got above 34 F and I kept the long underwear on.

Roger

[Charles Glatzer]

Don,

Bring all the lenses, why START OUT wearing blinders. There is a wonderful world inside the longest focal lengths. Many of my best Bosque images were taken with 16-35, and 70-200mm. I have been to Bosque in both Nov and Dec with temps ranging from 9F to 60F. Check the 10 day forecast before departing.

Chas

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Awesome advice... appreciate it folks... any particular boots you guys like... i always ask before purchasing as you can learn a lot form all of you. I'm thinking of a lined hiking boot, as i do not think i'll have a need to trudge thru a lot of snow!
Here, i n florida it's not always easy to find, or locate the proper buy once winter gear!
Again, thks for all of the tips...
Don

[Charles Glatzer]

This should help http://www.winterfootwear.com/

Chas

[Roger Clark]

any particular boots you guys like..

Don,
I just use my standard hiking boots and good socks. I've not had a problem with cold feet. Adding gators can help a lot, which I'll do if I'm standing in one spot for a long time (which is not likely for me at Bosque). Be sure all the layers you put on are not too tight. Tight clothes restrict circulation and makes you colder faster.

Roger

[Gerri Levine]

Don't forget (good) gloves. Cut them so that the first joint of your index finger and thumb can be exposed. Even so, when I was at Bosque in mid-Nov, it got so cold that I couldn't even feel my fingers and I was blindly pushing down my index finger, just hoping I had depressed the shutter!

[Arthur Morris]

A few additional tips:

1-Lined pants are so warm that I never need to wear long johns anymore.

2-If you will be working from your vehicle, a BLUBB will make your like much easier: https://store.birdsasart.com/shop/ca....aspx?catid=16

3-Absolutely bring all of your lenses, wide and otherwise.

4-On cold mornings I need lined moon boots to keep my feet warm. I have a pair of LaCrosse that I love. They are big and bulky but do the job. Some folks are much more prone to cold feet and cold hands than others.

5-The hands are everyone's biggest problem.... I wear a pair of glove liners (light gloves) below a pair of heavier gloves with a four-finger mitten cover than can be folded back. You can try on a few different pairs at most outdoor and hunting places in colder climates. I recommend against the gloves with cut-off finger ends as they tend to impede circulation. On cold mornings I use one hand warmer in each glove and on the coldest mornings I use two hand warmers, one behind the fingers, one in front of them. The larger and heavier your gloves the warmer your hands will be and the more difficult it will be to operate your camera controls. And at some point you will work for a while with all four fingers of your right hand exposed to the cold and wind and if you are like me, you may reach the point where you are unable to depress the shutter button :)

6-If you have never been, a copy of our Bosque Site Guide will prove to be more than valuable. Why spend so much time and money and then show up without knowing where to be on what wind and during what weather conditions. And each year I send out an update after my November visit. Learn more by clicking on the Bosque Site Guide link here: https://store.birdsasart.com/shop/ca....aspx?catid=19