American Wigeon
Mareca americana
In olden days, we called the American Wigeon “Baldpate” because of their white crown. Earlier nomenclature listed these ducks in the genus Anas (A. americana). They breed mostly in western Canada and Alaska, but also in the northern tier of the western USA.
The American Wigeon has a shorter bill than other dabblers. We believe this to be an adaptation to help them harvest the plant food they prefer.
The calls made by these birds are wheezing, or whistling sounds. It is not unlike the calls of the whistling ducks. During most of the year, these ducks forage on plant material, but during breeding season, they take on a more varied diet that includes invertebrate prey, and more seeds and fruit.
While science does not list the population of these birds as threatened, their numbers have been dropping by about 2% per year for the past half century, resulting in a 65% reduction over that period. Drought and wet cycles affect the population, but loss of habitat from agricultural practices seems to be a powerful factor.
Taxonomists regard the American Wigeon as monotypic (i.e. no subspecies).
Until my 2022 expedition through western Canada, my only meetings with American Wigeons were on their wintering grounds in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. In 2022, I found them in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park and in British Columbia.
36 Photos
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Imperial Beach, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:01:31 15:11 |
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Location:
Imperial Beach |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X0954-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Fort Lowell Park in Tucson Arizona. 2008-11-25. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:25 11:14 |
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Location:
Fort Lowell Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: jcd1944AmericanWigeon |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Fort Lowell Park in Tucson Arizona. 2008-11-25. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:25 11:17 |
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Location:
Fort Lowell Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: jcd1961AmericanWigeon |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Group flight over the Tijuana River Estuary. Imperial Beach, San Diego County, California USA 2010-02-18. |
Date Taken: 2010:02:18 10:57 |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/4000 |
File Name: JCD6588.AmericanWigeon |
| © 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Famosa Slough. Northern Point Loma, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2005:01:16 17:38 |
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Location:
Fort Lowell Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD_3080AmericanWigeon |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com) |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: On the campus of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, in Socorro New Mexico USA 2005-02-18. |
Date Taken: 2005:02:18 10:25 |
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Location:
Fort Lowell Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: JCD_4628AmericanWigeon |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com) |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: On the campus of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, in Socorro New Mexico USA 2005-02-18. |
Date Taken: 2005:02:18 10:37 |
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Location:
Fort Lowell Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: JCD_4681AmericanWigeon |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com) |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: On the campus of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, in Socorro New Mexico USA 2005-02-18. |
Date Taken: 2005:02:18 10:48 |
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Location:
Fort Lowell Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/80 |
File Name: JCD_4704AmericanWigeon |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com) |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: On the On the campus of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, in Socorro New Mexico USA 2005-02-18.campus of New Mexico Institut of Mining and Technology, in Socorro New Mexico USA 2005-02-18. |
Date Taken: 2005:02:18 10:56 |
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Location:
Fort Lowell Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD_4763AmericanWigeon |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com) |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: On the campus of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, in Socorro New Mexico USA 2005-02-18. |
Date Taken: 2005:02:18 11:14 |
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Location:
Fort Lowell Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 400 mm, f/7.1, 1/200 |
File Name: JCD_4863AmericanWigeon |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com) |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Colusa NWR near Williams in northern California USA 2003-12-18. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:18 16:44 |
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Location:
Colusa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/9.5, 1/350 |
File Name: JCD_5482AmericanWigeon |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: At the Albuquerque Zoo, or BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:17 10:06 |
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Location:
Barelas |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 160 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: D724065-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Winter visitor at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 10:58 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X4090-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Winter visitor's head shot at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:53 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X4353-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: At the Albuquerque Zoo, or BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:17 10:48 |
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Location:
Barelas |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X5713-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: At the Albuquerque Zoo, or BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:17 11:15 |
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Location:
Barelas |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X5770-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: At the Albuquerque Zoo, or BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:17 11:17 |
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Location:
Barelas |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X5780-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Flight between feeding areas at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in Butte County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:12:30 10:08 |
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Location:
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X5946-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: I saw small numbers of American Wigeons along the reserve’s waterways. The world famous Bosque del Apache may not be the center of the geese and crane universe today that it once was, but it can still provide a few thrills. A tour on this Tuesday in December taught me this lesson. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:22 10:35 |
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Location:
Bosque del Apache NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X9986-BosqueDelApache |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 15:09 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 300 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X6799-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 15:09 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X6819-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 15:05 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X6762-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 15:05 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 260 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X6749-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 15:03 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X6711-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: The SPI Nature Center had superior access to several species, like these wigeons, I could not see from next door. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 9:22 |
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Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X9861SouthPadre-WBC |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
|
Description: The SPI Nature Center had superior access to several species, like these wigeons, I could not see from next door. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 9:22 |
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Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X9866SouthPadre-WBC |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 14:44 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 270 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X6564-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: American Wigeons were among the species of waterfowl during our vigils at Oxbow Bend on the Snake River. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:11 8:57 |
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Location:
Oxbow Bend |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_8509820-OxbowBend |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: American Wigeons were among the species of waterfowl during our vigils at Oxbow Bend on the Snake River. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:11 9:04 |
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Location:
Oxbow Bend |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_8509846-OxbowBend |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Near the boat launch at the south end of Charlie Lake in British Columbia, only a few waterfowl species presented themselves to me, such as American Wigeon. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:03 8:58 |
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Location:
Charlie Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_8506236-CharlieLake.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Near the boat launch at the south end of Charlie Lake in British Columbia, only a few waterfowl species presented themselves to me, such as American Wigeon. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:03 8:57 |
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Location:
Charlie Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_8506232-CharlieLake.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: At the Albuquerque Zoo, or BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:17 11:19 |
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Location:
Barelas |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 210 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X5790-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
|
Description: At the Albuquerque Zoo, or BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:17 11:17 |
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Location:
Barelas |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X5784-AmericanWigeon |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: (Anas americana) Beeler Creek Ponds in Poway California. San Diego County USA. |
Date Taken: 2018:12:24 13:55 |
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Location:
Beeler Creek Ponds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X9027-BeelerPonds_Poway |
| © 2018 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: Wigeons, shovelers and pintails were among the limited numbers of dabbling ducks at Bosque during our Saturday tour. Jerry, his good friend Ken and I spent a few hours at Bosque del Apache before meeting master falconer Matt and his Harris's Hawks. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:05 12:22 |
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Location:
Bosque del Apache NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_D5X4548-BosqueDelApache |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Wigeon(Mareca americana) |
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Description: While driving to visit friends near Apache Creek New Mexico, I stopped in Glenwood to visit the local fishery and look for birds. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:12 9:31 |
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Location:
Glenwood Fishery |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: AmericanWigeon_ZX91182_GlenwoodFishery_NM |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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