In a deep, narrow valley west of Ramona California, is Dos Picos County Park. This is a nice little park with a little of everything for its visitors. Most of the facility is geared for camping, and on weekends, especially in the evening, it can get pretty boisterous. I like to time my visits here for early weekday mornings, when the hoi polloi has resumed their day-to-day routines and peace and calm returns to the park.
Dominating the camping and picnic areas of this park is a mature coastal live oak woodland where the usual suspects of nuthatches, titmice, woodpeckers, warblers, jays, towhees, sparrows, thrashers, thrushes, hawks, crows and others make their permanent or seasonal homes. Near the eastern side of the park at the bottom of the woodland, is a small pond where encounters with blackbirds, grackles, and waterfowl are common. Up-slope, south of the main park, is a hiking trail that can deliver meetings with chaparral loving species and provide commanding views of the valley.
The gallery below shows some of my favorite images from the park, and provide a sampling glimpse of the creatures that can be found here.
Bewick's Wren(Thryomanes bewickii) |
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Description: Birds I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 14:53 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/350 |
File Name: JCD6493BewicksWren |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Headed Grosbeak(Pheucticus melanocephalus) |
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Description: Birds I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 15:28 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD6510BlackHeadedGrosbeak |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Toyon(Heteromeles arbutifolia) |
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Description: Plants I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 15:36 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD6531Toyon |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Chaparral Mallow(Malacothamnus fasciculatus) |
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Description: Plants I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 15:39 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD6535RoseMallow |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Poison Oak(Rhus diversiloba) |
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Description: Plants I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 15:39 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750 |
File Name: JCD6536-PoisonOak |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Heart Leaved Penstemon(Keckiella cordifolia) |
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Description: Plants I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 15:42 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD6540HeartLeafPenstemon |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ash-Throated Flycatcher(Myiarchus cinerascens) |
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Description: Birds I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 16:06 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD6568AshThroatedFlyCatcher |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ash-Throated Flycatcher(Myiarchus cinerascens) |
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Description: Birds I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 16:09 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD6593AshThroatedFlyCatcher |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bush Monkey Flower(Mimulus aurantiacus) |
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Description: Plants I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 16:27 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: JCD6610BushMonkeyFlower |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Fence Lizard(Sceloporus occidentalis) |
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Description: Creatures I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 17:02 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD6624WesternFenceLizard |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Granite Spiny Lizard(Sceloporus orcutti) |
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Description: Creatures I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-12. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:12 17:04 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD6633GraniteSpinyLizard |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis) |
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Description: Wildlife I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-13. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:13 6:28 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 |
File Name: JCD6698WhiteBreastedNutHatch |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:13 6:34 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD6725WhiteBreastedNutHatch |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
American Crow(Corvus brachyrhynchos) |
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Description: Wildlife I met while camped at Dos Picos Park in Ramona California USA 2008-06-13. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:13 7:05 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD6742AmericanCrow |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
California Ground Squirrel(Otospermophilus beecheyi) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:13 7:33 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1500 |
File Name: JCD6748CaliforniaGroundSquirrel |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:14 7:18 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/350 |
File Name: JCD6811GreatTailedGrackle |
| Copyright 2008, Jack Daynes |
Song Sparrow(Melospiza melodia) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:14 7:45 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 |
File Name: JCD6879SongSparrow |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, www.shadetree-imaging.com |
Oak Titmouse(Baeolophus inornatus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County 2008-06-25. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:25 14:52 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD7144OakTitMouse |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Crow(Corvus brachyrhynchos) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County 2008-06-25. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:25 17:33 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD7246AmericanCrow |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County 2008-06-26. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:26 8:28 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD7274BlueGrayGnatCatcher |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
California Thrasher(California Thrasher) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County 2008-06-26. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:26 8:50 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD7307CaliforniaThrasher.Juvenile |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Oak Titmouse(Baeolophus inornatus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County 2008-06-26. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:26 10:47 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD7356OakTitMouse |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Oak Titmouse(Baeolophus inornatus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County 2008-06-26. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:26 10:47 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD7357OakTitMouse |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Acorn Woodpecker(Melanerpes formicivorus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County 2008-06-26. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:26 10:51 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/750 |
File Name: JCD7364AcornWoodPecker |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Acorn Woodpecker(Melanerpes formicivorus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County 2008-06-26. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:26 10:55 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD7398AcornWoodPecker |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cooper's Hawk(Accipiter cooperii) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:26 11:09 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/160 |
File Name: JCD7459CoopersHawk.Juvenile |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2010:05:20 15:23 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/400 |
File Name: JCD7373.GreatTailedGrackle |
| © 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
American Coot(Fulica americana) |
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Description: Shown in what is called "Paired Display", part of territorial defence. Dos Picos County Park in Ramona, California. San Diego County USA 2010-05-20. |
Date Taken: 2010:05:20 15:36 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/350 |
File Name: JCD7391.AmericanCoot |
| © 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Great-Tailed Grackle(Quiscalus mexicanus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2010:05:20 15:40 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD7413.GreatTailedGrackle |
| © 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Hutton's Vireo(Vireo huttoni) |
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Description: Dos Picos Park in Ramona, California, San Diego County.. |
Date Taken: 2016:01:11 13:26 |
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Location:
Dos Picos Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 400 mm, f/5.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D723302-HuttonsVireo |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Coot(Fulica americana) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park in Ramona California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2018:02:18 10:24 |
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Location:
Dos Pico Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: AmericanCoot_D500252-DosPicos |
| © 2018 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park in Ramona California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2018:02:18 11:14 |
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Location:
Dos Pico Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D500292-DosPicos |
| © 2018 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata auduboni) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park in Ramona California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2018:02:18 11:28 |
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Location:
Dos Pico Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: YellowRumpedWarbler_D500363-DosPicos |
| © 2018 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park in Ramona California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2018:02:18 11:32 |
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Location:
Dos Pico Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: HermitThrush_D500441-DosPicos |
| © 2018 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Dark-Eyed Junco(Junco hyemalis) |
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Description: Dos Picos County Park in Ramona California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2018:02:18 11:33 |
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Location:
Dos Pico Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: DarkEyedJunco_D500457-DosPicos |
| © 2018 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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