Lucy’s Warbler
Leiothlypis luciae
This bird is one of only two warblers known to nest in cavities (the other is the Prothonotary Warbler). It is also the smallest of all New World warblers. The breeding range for this bird centers on the state of Arizona, spilling over somewhat into neighboring states and northern Mexico.
Vermivora luciae is a name no longer favored by taxonomists. Current literature addresses this bird as Leiothlypis luciae, but some revisions from taxonomic studies list Lucy’s Warblers as Oreothlypis luciae.
The habitat these birds prefer is riparian mesquite, cottonwood-willow, and sometimes sycamore-oak woodlands. They are at home in some of the driest and hottest areas in the American southwest and northwestern Mexico. We have reduced much of their breeding habitats by developing housing and commercial interests.
Researchers do not recognise any subspecies of Lucy’s Warbler (i.e. they are monotypic).
Most of my encounters with this species have come from southern Arizona. The rural region surrounding the small town of Arivaca has been a favorite location of mine for meeting these birds, but other Arizona locations have proved productive, such as Madera Canyon, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, and Agua Caliente Park in northeastern Tucson.
My first meeting with a Lucy’s Warbler was my most unusual one. In February 2017, I accompanied researchers on a seagoing voyage to the Revillagigedo Islands 600 miles off the coast of Colima (Mexico). When we visited Isla Socorro, the largest island in the archipelago, Lucy’s Warbler was one of the bird species we met.
34 Photos
Lucy's Warbler(Oreothlypis luciae) |
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Description: One of the first birds we met during our first afternoon on Isla Socorro, the largest of the islands in the Archipielago de Revillagigedo. Part of the state of Colima, Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2017:02:15 14:53 |
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Location:
Marine Base |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X7794 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Oreothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Lower Madera Canyon by Proctor Road. East of Green Valley Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:01 7:24 |
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Location:
Madera Canyon |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X9588 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: The rural region surrounding the small town of Arivaca has been a favorite location of mine for meeting these and other birds for over two decades. The cienega there used to have more water. I suspect the demands of an ever-growing human presence has taken its toll. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:03 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X9913 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: The rural region surrounding the small town of Arivaca has been a favorite location of mine for meeting these and other birds for over two decades. The cienega there used to have more water. I suspect the demands of an ever-growing human presence has taken its toll. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 15:57 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X9831 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: The rural region surrounding the small town of Arivaca has been a favorite location of mine for meeting these and other birds for over two decades. The cienega there used to have more water. I suspect the demands of an ever-growing human presence has taken its toll. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:44 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X0439 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: The rural region surrounding the small town of Arivaca has been a favorite location of mine for meeting these and other birds for over two decades. The cienega there used to have more water. I suspect the demands of an ever-growing human presence has taken its toll. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:03 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X9909 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: The rural region surrounding the small town of Arivaca has been a favorite location of mine for meeting these and other birds for over two decades. The cienega there used to have more water. I suspect the demands of an ever-growing human presence has taken its toll. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:39 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X0398 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: The rural region surrounding the small town of Arivaca has been a favorite location of mine for meeting these and other birds for over two decades. The cienega there used to have more water. I suspect the demands of an ever-growing human presence has taken its toll. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:38 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X0371 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Arivaca in rural south-central Arizona.The rural region surrounding the small town of Arivaca has been a favorite location of mine for meeting these and other birds for over two decades. The cienega there used to have more water. I suspect the demands of an ever-growing human presence has taken its toll. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:38 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X0333 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Seen while camped at Arivaca in rural south-central Arizona USA 2017-05-03. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:35 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X0300 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: The rural region surrounding the small town of Arivaca has been a favorite location of mine for meeting these and other birds for over two decades. The cienega there used to have more water. I suspect the demands of an ever-growing human presence has taken its toll. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:34 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X0270 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: The rural region surrounding the small town of Arivaca has been a favorite location of mine for meeting these and other birds for over two decades. The cienega there used to have more water. I suspect the demands of an ever-growing human presence has taken its toll. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:31 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X0186 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Seen while camped at Arivaca in rural south-central Arizona USA 2017-05-03 |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:29 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X0165 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: Seen while camped at Arivaca in rural south-central Arizona USA 2017-05-03 |
Date Taken: 2017:05:03 16:29 |
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Location:
La Siesta Campgrounds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X0143 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 14:24 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X7198 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: A bird I met at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 8:04 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X6696 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 7:55 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X6629 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 7:53 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X6599 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: A bird setting up territory at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 7:51 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X6569 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: A bird setting up territory at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 7:50 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X6560 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Lucy's Warblers are one of the more common warblers in the Arizona desert. I met these birds while visiting the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum near Superior, Arizona. The day was sunny and the birds were friendly. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:26 8:59 |
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Location:
Boyce-Thompson Arboretum |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X5035-Boyce-Thompson |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: Lucy's Warblers are one of the more common warblers in the Arizona desert. I met these birds while visiting the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum near Superior, Arizona. The day was sunny and the birds were friendly. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:26 9:25 |
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Location:
Boyce-Thompson Arboretum |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X5437-Boyce-Thompson |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Lucy's Warblers like desert Mesquite thickets in the Southwaestern USA to nest. I drove for three plus hours to spend two lovely hours with these birds at the Cienega in Arivaca before turning onto my final leg of my homeward journey from my 2020 Texas adventure. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:27 7:11 |
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Location:
Arivaca Cienega |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X5685-Arivaca |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Oreothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Lower Madera Canyon by Proctor Road. East of Green Valley Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:01 7:20 |
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Location:
Madera Canyon |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X9580 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: Lucy's Warblers like desert Mesquite thickets in the Southwaestern USA to nest. I drove for three plus hours to spend two lovely hours with these birds at the Cienega in Arivaca before turning onto my final leg of my homeward journey from my 2020 Texas adventure. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:27 7:11 |
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Location:
Arivaca Cienega |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_D5X5687-Arivaca |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Having enjoyed past visits to Agua Caliente Park, in northeast Tucson, I was eager to return during my 2023 Expedition. It did not disappoint! |
Date Taken: 2023:03:27 17:08 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_ZX95775_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: Having enjoyed past visits to Agua Caliente Park, in northeast Tucson, I was eager to return during my 2023 Expedition. It did not disappoint! |
Date Taken: 2023:03:27 17:09 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_ZX95797_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Cottonwood Wash drains from the north slopes of Mount Graham near Pima Arizona. On this, my 2nd visit, I found newly arrived summer birds, full-time residents, and winter visitors nearing their time to head north. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:09 9:54 |
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Location:
Cottonwood Wash |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_ZX99724_CottonwoodWash-Pima-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Cottonwood Wash drains from the north slopes of Mount Graham near Pima Arizona. On this, my 2nd visit, I found newly arrived summer birds, full-time residents, and winter visitors nearing their time to head north. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:09 7:48 |
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Location:
Cottonwood Wash |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_ZX99243_CottonwoodWash-Pima-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: Cottonwood Wash drains from the north slopes of Mount Graham near Pima Arizona. On this, my 2nd visit, I found newly arrived summer birds, full-time residents, and winter visitors nearing their time to head north. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:09 7:44 |
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Location:
Cottonwood Wash |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_ZX99126_CottonwoodWash-Pima-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: Cottonwood Wash drains from the north slopes of Mount Graham near Pima Arizona. On this, my 2nd visit, I found newly arrived summer birds, full-time residents, and winter visitors nearing their time to head north. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:08 15:25 |
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Location:
Cottonwood Wash |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_ZX98095_CottonwoodWash-Pima-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
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Description: Historic Redington Road runs east out of Tucson through some very rugged country. I stopped on the eastern slopes to spend time with the birds and make camp. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:03 7:45 |
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Location:
Redington Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_ZX97655_RedingtonRoad-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: Historic Redington Road runs east out of Tucson through some very rugged country. I stopped on the eastern slopes to spend time with the birds and make camp. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:03 7:44 |
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Location:
Redington Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_ZX97646_RedingtonRoad-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lucy's Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae) |
|
Description: Historic Redington Road runs east out of Tucson through some very rugged country. I stopped on the eastern slopes to spend time with the birds and make camp. |
Date Taken: 2023:04:03 7:43 |
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Location:
Redington Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LucysWarbler_ZX97643_RedingtonRoad-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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