After several memorable months in Texas, even enduring the craziness and uncertainty of the earliest days of the pandemic, I began my first Texas Exodus in 2020-May. I was in no hurry to reach home in San Diego, and I found as many locations as I could along my route to explore. I planned a stop to visit my good friend Jerry in Albuquerque, and when I called him from the road to check in, he suggested I stop near Roswell and check out Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. I did, and it turned out to be one of the best experiences I had on this leg of the trip.
I did two tours of the reserve. The first was on Monday (2020-05-11), and the second was on Tuesday, the 12th. Monday’s biggest rewards were the Scaled Quails I got to see performing their love calls. I had hoped to meet these birds in Texas, but it wasn’t until this day along the Pecos River in New Mexico that I got to scratch that itch.
Tuesday’s visit was equally satisfying. I met more quail, but with the added bonus of Cassin’s Sparrows enthusiastically performing their sweet melancholy songs. By the time I was ready to resume my westward journey, besides the Scaled Quail, I had met shorebirds such as American Avocets, Black-Necked Stilts, and Spotted Sandpipers. Also on the tour were Barn Swallows, Blue Grosbeaks, Cassin’s Sparrows, Cinnamon Teal, and Red-Winged Blackbirds.
I found my visit so pleasing, I vowed to return one day in a different season and learn more about the creatures making their homes in the valley.
Barn Swallow(Hirundo rustica) |
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Description: A few miles east of Roswell New Mexico, along the Pecos River, is Bitter Lake NWR, where these Barn Swallows found suitable nesting ledges at the Visitor Center. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 13:10 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000 |
File Name: BarnSwallow_D506207-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Necked Stilt(Himantopus mexicanus) |
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Description: A few miles east of Roswell New Mexico, along the Pecos River, is Bitter Lake NWR, where I found these avocets and stilts nesting near each other, just as they do in Southern California. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 8:21 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: BlackNeckedStilt_D505760-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue Grosbeak(Passerina caerulea) |
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Description: Blue Grosbeak females are not as showy as the males that court them. A few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, is Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 9:10 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 |
File Name: BlueGrosbeak_D505923-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cassin's Sparrow(Peucaea cassinii) |
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Description: I met Cassin’s Sparrows in Texas and Arizona before visiting this location, but these birds provided some intimate encounters. A few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, is Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 9:50 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 |
File Name: CassinsSparrow_D505943-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus) |
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Description: Singing its heart out and hoping to secure a mate, I found this male Red-Winged Blackbird a few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, at Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 9:00 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: RedWingBlackbird_D505896-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus) |
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Description: Advertising and hoping to secure a mate, I found this male Red-Winged Blackbird a few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, at Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 9:00 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: RedWingBlackbird_D505902-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: One species I hoped to meet in Texas was the Scaled Quail, but I wasn’t successful until reaching a few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, at Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 10:33 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506093-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: One species I hoped to meet in Texas was the Scaled Quail, but I wasn’t successful until reaching a few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, at Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 10:32 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506067-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: One species I hoped to meet in Texas was the Scaled Quail, but I wasn’t successful until reaching a few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, at Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 10:34 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506161-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: One species I hoped to meet in Texas was the Scaled Quail, but I wasn’t successful until reaching a few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, at Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 10:40 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506190-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: One species I hoped to meet in Texas was the Scaled Quail, but I wasn’t successful until reaching a few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, at Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 10:34 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506132-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: One species I hoped to meet in Texas was the Scaled Quail, but I wasn’t successful until reaching a few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, at Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 10:33 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506102-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularius) |
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Description: A few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, is Bitter Lake NWR. These Spotted Sandpipers might not breed here, but they put on a display as if they were defending territory. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 8:54 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 |
File Name: SpottedSandpiper_D505882-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Avocet(Recurvirostra americana) |
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Description: A few miles east of Roswell New Mexico, along the Pecos River, is Bitter Lake NWR, where I found these avocets and stilts nesting near each other, just as they do in Southern California. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 9:17 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: AmericanAvocet_D505755-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cinnamon Teal(Spatula cyanoptera) |
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Description: Most of the waterfowl I met here were rather shy, and stayed beyond ideal shooting range. A few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, is Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 8:26 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: CinnamonTeal_D505767-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: One species I hoped to meet in Texas was the Scaled Quail, but I wasn’t successful until reaching a few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, at Bitter Lake NWR. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 10:36 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506165-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularius) |
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Description: A few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, is Bitter Lake NWR. These Spotted Sandpipers might not breed here, but they put on a display as if they were defending territory. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 8:50 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: SpottedSandpiper_D505838-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularius) |
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Description: A few miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, along the Pecos River, is Bitter Lake NWR. These Spotted Sandpipers might not breed here, but they put on a display as if they were defending territory. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:11 8:50 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: SpottedSandpiper_D505851-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cassin's Sparrow(Peucaea cassinii) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Cassin's Sparrows were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 8:17 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 |
File Name: CassinsSparrow_D506494-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cassin's Sparrow(Peucaea cassinii) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Cassin's Sparrows were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 8:22 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/5000 |
File Name: CassinsSparrow_D506516-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cassin's Sparrow(Peucaea cassinii) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Cassin's Sparrows were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 8:28 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: CassinsSparrow_D506544-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cassin's Sparrow(Peucaea cassinii) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Cassin's Sparrows were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 8:28 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: CassinsSparrow_D506555-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cassin's Sparrow(Peucaea cassinii) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Cassin's Sparrows were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 8:28 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/5000 |
File Name: CassinsSparrow_D506562-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cassin's Sparrow(Peucaea cassinii) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Cassin's Sparrows were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 8:28 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400 |
File Name: CassinsSparrow_D506574-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cassin's Sparrow(Peucaea cassinii) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Cassin's Sparrows were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 8:28 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400 |
File Name: CassinsSparrow_D506584-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Scaled Quail were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 7:34 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506246-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Scaled Quail were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 7:35 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506259-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Scaled Quail were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 7:35 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506262-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Scaled Quail were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 7:35 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506270-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Scaled Quail were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 7:35 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506276-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Scaled Quail were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 7:35 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506293-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Scaled Quail were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 7:38 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506355-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Scaled Quail were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 7:50 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506470-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Scaled Quail were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 7:50 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506472-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Scaled Quail(Callipepla squamata) |
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Description: I enjoyed my Monday morning visit to Bitter Lake NWR near Roswell, New Mexico so much, I decided to spend Tuesday morning there as well. I found these Scaled Quail were even more cooperative than they were on Monday. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 7:50 |
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Location:
Bitter Lake NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: ScaledQuail_D506475-BitterLake-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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