There is a broad grassy valley running west from the Ramona Airport through Highland Valley. The County of San Diego has seen fit to make a preserve of the land to protect threatened species such as Burrowing Owls and the Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat. Much of the preserve is out-of-bounds for public access. But near the western limits of the preserve, reserve managers set aside a section with a parking area and trails that meander through the grasslands and the neighboring chaparral habitat.
Folks come to the preserve for several reasons. Many trailer horses come to enjoy the trails and the company of like-minded friends. Some people enjoy hiking or biking these same trails. Some come alone, and some bring their families. Others, like myself, come to immerse ourselves in nature and enjoy the peace and serenity that is so hard to find in an over-civilized world.
In the gallery below are fond memories of the times I’ve spent here.
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) |
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Description: Spring is in the air for this bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:04:13 8:59 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X4268-BlueGrayGnatCatcher |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) |
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Description: Spring is in the air for this bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:04:13 8:59 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X4272-BlueGrayGnatCatcher |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) |
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Description: Spring is in the air for this bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:04:13 9:02 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4286-BlueGrayGnatCatcher |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) |
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Description: Spring is in the air for this bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:04:13 9:11 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4308-BlueGrayGnatCatcher |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Chinned Sparrow(Spizella atrogularis) |
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Description: Spring is in the air for this bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:04:13 9:13 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4312-BlackChinnedSparrow |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Say's Phoebe(Sayornis saya) |
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Description: Earning a living at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:02:22 11:09 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X2900-SaysPhoebe |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides) |
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Description: Winter visitor at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:02:24 11:32 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X2929-MountainBlueBird |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides) |
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Description: Visiting for the winter at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:02:24 11:37 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X2964-MountainBlueBird |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis) |
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Description: Visiting for the winter at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:02:24 12:09 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X2988-SavannahSparrow |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging. |
Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides) |
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Description: Winter visitor at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:02:24 12:41 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X3034-MountainBlueBird |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides) |
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Description: Winter visitor at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:02:24 12:42 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X3051-MountainBlueBird |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lawrence's Goldfinch(Carduelis lawrencei) |
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Description: Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:08 8:44 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X3545-LawrencesGoldFinch |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis) |
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Description: Visiting for the winter at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:08 9:16 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X3566-SavannahSparrow |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Western Meadowlark(Sturnella neglecta) |
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Description: Resident bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:08 10:02 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X_0030-WesternMeadowLark |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Meadowlark(Sturnella neglecta) |
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Description: Resident bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:08 10:02 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X_0032-WesternMeadowLark |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Vesper Sparrow(Pooecetes gramineus) |
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Description: Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:08 10:06 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X_0050-VesperSparrow |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides) |
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Description: Winter visitor at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:08 10:42 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X_0074-MountainBlueBird |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides) |
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Description: Earning a living at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:08 10:58 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X_0133-MountainBlueBird |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides) |
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Description: Earning a living at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:01:17 14:28 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X5487-MountainBlueBird |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides) |
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Description: Winter visitor at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:01:17 14:28 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X5493-MountainBlueBird |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Pipit(Anthus rubescens) |
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Description: Visiting for the winter at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:01:17 14:44 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X5516-AmericanPipit |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Pipit(Anthus rubescens) |
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Description: Visiting for the winter at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:01:17 14:46 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X5549-AmericanPipit |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Wood-Pewee(Contopus sordidulus) |
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Description: Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 7:05 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X7220-WesternWoodPewee |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Wood-Pewee(Contopus sordidulus) |
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Description: Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 7:06 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X7241-WesternWoodPewee |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Say's Phoebe(Sayornis saya) |
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Description: Resident bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 7:22 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X7257-SaysPhoebe |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) |
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Description: Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 8:00 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X7264-BlueGrayGnatCatcher |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bewick's Wren(Thryomanes bewickii) |
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Description: Resident bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 8:07 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X7276-BewicksWren |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue Grosbeak(Passerina caerulea) |
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Description: Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 8:26 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X7312-BlueGrosbeak |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lark Sparrow(Chondestes grammacus) |
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Description: Resident birds pairing up at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 8:42 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X7339-LarkSparrow |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lark Sparrow(Chondestes grammacus) |
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Description: Resident bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 8:46 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X7353-LarkSparrow |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lark Sparrow(Chondestes grammacus) |
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Description: Resident bird at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 8:50 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X7366-LarkSparrow |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lark Sparrow(Chondestes grammacus) |
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Description: Female looking for nest material at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 8:50 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X7374-LarkSparrow |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Tailed Kite(Elanus leucurus) |
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Description: Jousting birds at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 9:12 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X7381-WhiteTailedKite |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
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Description: Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 9:21 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X7421-WesternBlueBird |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
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Description: Ramona Grasslands Preserve, Ramona, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:17 9:23 |
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Location:
Ramona Grassland Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X7435-WesternBlueBird |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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