Stuck out of the way near the foot of the Rincon and Catalina Mountains in the northeastern corner of Tucson Arizona, is Agua Caliente Park. Here sits a hundred acres of parkland with groves of trees, ponds and open grasslands, next to a desert wash, providing a rich habitat for man and beast to enjoy.
Human beings have frequented this location for 5,500 years, but from 1850 to 1870 it was an Army camp and later a stage stop. Since then it has been a health spa, a cattle ranch, a horse ranch, and hay farm. In 1984, Pima County purchased the land and continue to this day to operate it as a park.
I’ve paid four visits to this delightful location. One in winter 2008, one in mid-summer 2013, a third in spring 2017, and most recently in March-2023. Each visit has been interesting in its own way, but if I must confess, the spring visit was my favorite, but who doesn’t love spring?
I learned today that the park is undergoing a major reconstruction project, and it’s likely to be closed until early 2020. I get nervous about disturbing the balance of an ecosystem. So many times our attempts to “improve” the environment go awry, and it takes a VERY long time to recover. I sincerely hope my fears in this case are unfounded.
Red-Eared Slider(Trachemys scripta) |
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Description: Lots of turtles make the ponds at Aqua Caliente Park their home. North-Eastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2013:08:27 7:36 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/160 |
File Name: D3X1835-RedEaredSlider |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great Blue Heron(Ardea herodias) |
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Description: Foraging at Agua Caliente Park in North-Eastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2013:08:27 8:09 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X1862-GreatBlueHeron-Juvenile |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Purple Martin(Progne subis) |
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Description: This speedy flyer was hard to capture at Agua Caliente Park in North-Eastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2013:08:27 8:37 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X1865-PurpleMartin |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis) |
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Description: Male at Aqua Caliente Park in Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:28 11:52 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD2853NorthernCardinal |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, www.shadetree-imaging.com |
Gilded Flicker(Colaptes chrysoides) |
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Description: Adult female at Agua Caliente Park in Tucson, Arizona USA 2008-11-28. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:28 12:00 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1500 |
File Name: JCD2868GildedFlicker |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Verdin(Auriparus flaviceps) |
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Description: This desert-loving bird is resident at Agua Caliente Park in Tucson Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:28 13:46 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/180 |
File Name: JCD2953Verdin |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos) |
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Description: Neighborhood watch near the Catalina Highway in Tucson Arizona USA 2008-11-28. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:28 13:54 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD2987NorthernMockingBird |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher(Polioptila melanura) |
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Description: Agua Caliente Park is in northeast Tucson Arizona near the Catalina Highway in Tucson Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:28 14:12 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 |
File Name: JCD3017BlackTailedGnatCatcher |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Abert's Towhee(Melozone aberti) |
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Description: I met this bird at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 7:11 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/200 |
File Name: AbertsTowhee_D5X6492 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Abert's Towhee(Melozone aberti) |
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Description: I met this bird at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 7:20 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/160 |
File Name: AbertsTowhee_D5X6528 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Abert's Towhee(Melozone aberti) |
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Description: I met this bird at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 13:59 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: AbertsTowhee_D5X7174 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Abert's Towhee(Melozone aberti) |
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Description: I met this bird at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 14:00 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: AbertsTowhee_D5X7179 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ash-Throated Flycatcher(Myiarchus cinerascens) |
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Description: Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 8:29 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: AshThroatedFlycatcher_D5X6794 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bell's Vireo(Vireo bellii) |
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Description: A bird setting up territory at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 13:35 |
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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: BellsVireo_D5X7033 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bell's Vireo(Vireo bellii) |
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Description: A bird setting up territory at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 13:43 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: BellsVireo_D5X7156 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bewick's Wren(Thryomanes bewickii) |
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Description: This bird is resident at Agua Caliente Park in Tucson Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 13:35 |
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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: BewicksWren_D5X7047 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Curve-Billed Thrasher(Toxostoma curvirostre) |
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Description: This bird is resident at Agua Caliente Park in Tucson Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 8:27 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: CurveBilledThrasher_D5X6760 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gila Woodpecker(Melanerpes uropygialis) |
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Description: This bird is resident at Agua Caliente Park in Tucson Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 8:32 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: GilaWoodpecker_D5X6803 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lesser Goldfinch(Spinus psaltria) |
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Description: Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 13:39 |
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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: LesserGoldFinch_D5X7122 |
| © 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: 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 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 |
Phainopepla(Phainopepla nitens) |
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Description: Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 8:24 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: Phainopepla_D5X6712 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Round-Tailed Ground Squirrel(Xerospermophilus tereticaudus) |
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Description: Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 13:16 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: RoundTailedGroundSquirrel_D5X6854 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Vermilion Flycatcher(Pyrocephalus rubinus) |
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Description: Male parent at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 13:19 |
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Location:
Agua Caliente Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: VermilionFlycatcher_D5X6857 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Vermilion Flycatcher(Pyrocephalus rubinus) |
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Description: Female parent at Agua Caliente Park in Northeastern Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:24 13:34 |
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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: VermilionFlycatcher_D5X6967 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Vermilion Flycatcher(Pyrocephalus rubinus) |
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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 17:07 |
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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: VermilionFlycatcher_ZX95728_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Vermilion Flycatcher(Pyrocephalus rubinus) |
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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 15:58 |
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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: VermilionFlycatcher_ZX95126_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Hooded Oriole(Icterus cucullatus) |
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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 17:01 |
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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: HoodedOriole_ZX95618_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 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) |
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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 17:09 |
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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 |
Broad-Billed Hummingbird(Cynanthus latirostris) |
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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 16:19 |
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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: BroadBilledHummingbird_ZX95259_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Broad-Billed Hummingbird(Cynanthus latirostris) |
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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 16:12 |
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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: BroadBilledHummingbird_ZX95175_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Anna's Hummingbird(Calypte anna) |
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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 15:51 |
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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: AnnasHummingbird_ZX94936_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cassin's Vireo(Vireo cassinii) |
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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 17:34 |
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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: CassinsVireo_ZX96096_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Greater Roadrunner(Geococcyx californianus) |
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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 16:21 |
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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: GreaterRoadrunner_ZX95295_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Townsend's Solitaire(Myadestes townsendi) |
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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 17:16 |
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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: TownsendsSolitaire_ZX95892_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Townsend's Solitaire(Myadestes townsendi) |
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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 17:36 |
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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: TownsendsSolitaire_ZX96143_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Vermilion Flycatcher(Pyrocephalus rubinus) |
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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 16:49 |
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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: VermilionFlycatcher_ZX95394_AguaCaliente-Tucson-AZ |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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