This post wraps up my retelling of stories from 2014. Tales of 2013 remain to be told, and I hope to spin those yarns soon. I know I’ve been pumping out these posts at an unusual pace. Once I sell my home and hit the road in my RV the posts should be only a few times a week instead of a few a day.
Santee is a community a few miles southeast of where I live in Poway (San Diego County, California). Santee Lakes is a string of 10 small lakes, or large ponds that are part of a water treatment system. The lowest seven of the lakes are open to the public for a small fee. Picnicking, boat rentals, fishing, and other family-oriented activities are the major attractions, but birders know this is a good place to meet birds, sometimes unusual birds.
Aside from the intimate encounters with waterfowl, I especially enjoyed my visit with a Belted Kingfisher who executed several aerial maneuvers in front of me in the warm, mid-morning light. Another memory from that morning was watching mud hens (American Coots) walk ashore to forage on the grass, allowing me to examine their unusual feet.
Birds I met on this excursion were Wood Duck, American White Pelican, American Wigeon, Ring-Necked Duck, Double-Crested Cormorant, Northern Shoveler, American Coot, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Belted Kingfisher, Red-Tailed Hawk, Great Egret, Ruddy Duck, Great Blue Heron.
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Resident bird's head shot at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:50 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X4347-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ring-Necked Duck(Aythya collaris) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:22 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X4226-RingNeckedDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Northern Shoveler(Spatula clypeata) |
|
Description: Winter visitor at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:38 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X4307-NorthernShoveler |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ring-Necked Duck(Aythya collaris) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:21 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X4224-RingNeckedDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Ruddy Duck(Oxyura jamaicensis) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 13:34 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X4520-RuddyDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American White Pelican(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) |
|
Description: Winter visitor at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 10:40 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X4054-AmericanWhitePelican |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American White Pelican(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) |
|
Description: Winter visitor at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 10:58 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X4092-AmericanWhitePelican |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
|
Description: Winter visitor's head shot at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:53 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X4353-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Coot(Fulica americana) |
|
Description: Watching the feet at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:28 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/100 |
File Name: D3X4258-AmericanCoot |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Shoveler(Spatula clypeata) |
|
Description: Winter visitor at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:18 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4200-NorthernShoveler |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis) |
|
Description: Flyover at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:58 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4378-RedTailedHawk |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 10:08 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X4030-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Double-Crested Cormorant(Phalacrocorax auritus) |
|
Description: Synchronized swimmers at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:18 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X4193-DoubleCrestedCormorant |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
|
Description: Winter visitor at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 10:58 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X4090-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ring-Necked Duck(Aythya collaris) |
|
Description: Winter visitor at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:19 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X4208-RingNeckedDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great Egret(Ardea alba) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 12:04 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X4387-GreatEgret |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Double-Crested Cormorant(Phalacrocorax auritus) |
|
Description: This bird was interested in finding a new fishing spot at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:33 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X4289-DoubleCrestedCormorant |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ring-Necked Duck(Aythya collaris) |
|
Description: Winter visitor at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:15 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X4181-RingNeckedDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Resident breeding species at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 10:08 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/160 |
File Name: D3X4038-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American White Pelican(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) |
|
Description: Winter visitors arriving at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:05 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X4155-AmericanWhitePelican |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ring-Necked Duck(Aythya collaris) |
|
Description: Winter visitor's headshot at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:21 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X4221-RingNeckedDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Double-Crested Cormorant(Phalacrocorax auritus) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:24 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X4227-DoubleCrestedCormorant |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Double-Crested Cormorant(Phalacrocorax auritus) |
|
Description: Foraging birds at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:25 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4249-DoubleCrestedCormorant |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ring-Necked Duck(Aythya collaris) |
|
Description: Winter visitor at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:26 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X4250-RingNeckedDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ring-Necked Duck(Aythya collaris) |
|
Description: Winter visitor's head shot at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:26 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X4255-RingNeckedDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Double-Crested Cormorant(Phalacrocorax auritus) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:34 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4295-DoubleCrestedCormorant |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:43 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4322-Mallard |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Belted Kingfisher(Ceryle alcyon) |
|
Description: Looking for a meal at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:45 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X4332-BeltedKingfisher |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Belted Kingfisher(Ceryle alcyon) |
|
Description: Looking for a meal at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 12:08 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X4404-BeltedKingfisher |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Belted Kingfisher(Ceryle alcyon) |
|
Description: Looking for a meal at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 12:08 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X4410-BeltedKingfisher |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Belted Kingfisher(Ceryle alcyon) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 12:08 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X4411-BeltedKingfisher |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Belted Kingfisher(Ceryle alcyon) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 12:08 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X4413-BeltedKingfisher |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Belted Kingfisher(Ceryle alcyon) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 12:14 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X4443-BeltedKingfisher |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Belted Kingfisher(Ceryle alcyon) |
|
Description: Capturing a meal at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 12:14 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X4446-BeltedKingfisher |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Northern Shoveler(Spatula clypeata) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 13:01 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X4474-NorthernShoveler |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Ruddy Duck(Oxyura jamaicensis) |
|
Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 13:27 |
|
Location:
Santee Lakes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X4476-RuddyDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Click map markers to reveal further information
