Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge nestles in 2,088 acres along the Rio Grande. With 14 miles of trails, there are almost limitless opportunities to meet birds and other wildlife. During migration, they’re situated ideally to intercept birds travelling between their breeding grounds to the north, and their winter homes in Central and South America.
The reserve features heavily forested areas with trees draped in Spanish moss, along with wetlands and shallow ponds that provide habitat for waterfowl and waders. I missed out on visiting this reserve in the spring of 2020 because of restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. I have but one regret about my 2021 stay in South Texas; I only visited this location once.
On 2021-02-21, I loaded my camera gear on my bike and set out to meet birds and have some fun. I succeeded on both counts. Many of the trails have bicycle restrictions, so I walked while pushing the bike and my camera gear along those paths. When I finished my three and a half our tour of the reserve, I’d covered 5 miles and met the following species: American Coot, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Phoebe, Garter Snake, Great Egret, Least Grebe, Northern Shoveler, White-Faced Ibis, and White Ibis.
My favorite memory of this place was the time I spent sitting quietly next to the Pintail Lakes photographing foraging ibis working their way ever closer to my position until head-shots were my only option. Remaining still and blending into the background to let my subjects come to me has been my most rewarding strategy, and continues to this day.
American White Ibis(Eudocimus albus) |
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Description: When first I sat down to shoot these ibis feeding in the shallows, they were too far for good shots. I remained still, and the flock moved closer. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 14:10 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteIbis_D5X4918-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Faced Ibis(Plegadis chihi) |
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Description: When first I sat down to shoot these ibis feeding in the shallows, they were too far for good shots. I remained still, and the flock moved closer. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 14:02 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteFacedIbis_D5X4799-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bearded Forest(Scenery) |
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Description: The moss hanging from the trees here made me think I was walking through the Bearded Forest. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 11:06 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: moto x4, 3.99 mm, 1/370 |
File Name: Scenery-MossyPath-20210221_110643-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
View From The Top(Scenery) |
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Description: The main tower on the reserve provides an elevated view, well above the tree-tops, with vistas extending for miles in all directions. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 12:54 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: moto x4, 3.99 mm, 1/1600 |
File Name: Scenery-TowerView-20210221_125455-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas) |
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Description: There is a small population of resident yellowthroats in south Texas of the subspecies G. t. insperata, but I don’t know if these birds are members. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 11:26 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: CommonYellowthroat_D5X4104-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Eastern Phoebe(Sayornis phoebe) |
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Description: Eastern Phoebes on the reserve were all busy hawking insects on this warm day. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 11:50 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: EasternPhoebe_D5X4206-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Texas Garter Snake(Thamnophis sirtalis annectens) |
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Description: I couldn’t resist snapping a few frames of this Texas Garter Snake on the water. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 11:36 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: GarterSnake_D5X4149-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Grebe(Tachybaptus dominicus) |
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Description: Last spring here in south Texas I couldn’t find a Least Grebe to save my life. This winter I seem to meet them nearly everywhere I visit. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 12:18 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LeastGrebe_D5X4401-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Faced Ibis(Plegadis chihi) |
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Description: When first I sat down to shoot these ibis feeding in the shallows, they were too far for good shots. I remained still, and the flock moved closer. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 14:00 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteFacedIbis_D5X4754-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Faced Ibis(Plegadis chihi) |
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Description: When first I sat down to shoot these ibis feeding in the shallows, they were too far for good shots. I remained still, and the flock moved closer. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 14:02 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteFacedIbis_D5X4797-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Grebe(Tachybaptus dominicus) |
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Description: This bird was taking oil from a gland by its tail and using it to groom its feathers. Last spring here in south Texas I couldn’t find a Least Grebe to save my life. This winter I seem to meet them nearly everywhere I visit. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 10:25 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LeastGrebe_D5X3907-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Least Grebe(Tachybaptus dominicus) |
|
Description: Last spring here in south Texas I couldn’t find a Least Grebe to save my life. This winter I seem to meet them nearly everywhere I visit. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 10:29 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: LeastGrebe_D5X4050-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas) |
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Description: There is a small population of resident yellowthroats in south Texas of the subspecies G. t. insperata, but I don’t know if these birds are members. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 11:51 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: CommonYellowthroat_D5X4229-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American White Ibis(Eudocimus albus) |
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Description: When first I sat down to shoot these ibis feeding in the shallows, they were too far for good shots. I remained still, and the flock moved closer. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 13:40 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: WhiteIbis_D5X4509-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Faced Ibis(Plegadis chihi) |
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Description: When first I sat down to shoot these ibis feeding in the shallows, they were too far for good shots. I remained still, and the flock moved closer. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 13:54 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteFacedIbis_D5X4619-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Great Egret(Ardea alba) |
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Description: This Great Egret foraged in mixed company with White-Faced and White Ibis. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 14:10 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: GreatEgret_D5X4932-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
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Description: White-Eyed Vireos are most commonly found in the southeastern USA, where they may migrate north to the Mason-Dixon line, but in south Texas, they can be found year-round. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 11:32 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_8505708-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
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Description: White-Eyed Vireos are most commonly found in the southeastern USA, where they may migrate north to the Mason-Dixon line, but in south Texas, we can find them year-round. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 10:01 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_8505352-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Verdin(Auriparus flaviceps) |
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Description: Much like the Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers, Verdin are wide-ranging over most of the southwestern USA and most of Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 11:20 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Verdin_8505677-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Olive Sparrow(Arremonops rufivirgatus) |
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Description: The only place north of Mexico where we can find Olive Sparrows is southern Texas. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 10:06 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: OliveSparrow_8505388-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis) |
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Description: Northern Cardinals are not much for migration. In Texas, they are year-round residents. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 10:59 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: NorthernCardinal_8505601-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers are wide-ranging over most of the southwestern USA and most of Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 11:12 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_8505640-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Golden-Fronted Woodpecker(Melanerpes aurifrons) |
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Description: Golden-Fronted Woodpeckers remain on territory all year, and range over most of Texas and eastern Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 10:22 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: GoldenFrontedWoodpecker_8505427-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) |
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Description: Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers in south Texas might either be migrating, or year-round residents. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 11:05 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: BlueGrayGnatcatcher_8505611-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) |
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Description: Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers in south Texas might either be migrating, or year-round residents. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 10:46 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlueGrayGnatcatcher_8505517-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Crested Titmouse(Baeolophus atricristatus) |
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Description: I hadn’t seen a Black-Crested Titmouse since leaving south Texas in 2021. My time on South Padre Island in September 2022 let me meet a lot of nice birds, but the titmouse was not among them. I had to wander up the Rio Grande Valley to meet them again. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 11:28 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: BlackCrestedTitmouse_8505706-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Crested Titmouse(Baeolophus atricristatus) |
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Description: I hadn’t seen a Black-Crested Titmouse since leaving south Texas in 2021. My time on South Padre Island in September 2022 let me meet a lot of nice birds, but the titmouse was not among them. I had to wander up the Rio Grande Valley to meet them again. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 10:42 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: BlackCrestedTitmouse_8505506-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Shoveler(Spatula clypeata) |
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Description: I found shovelers among the dabblers on the shallow ponds. I finally got my chance to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Reserve this Sunday. I’ve wanted to explore there since my first trip to Texas in the Spring of 2020, but with the global pandemic, it was one of several locations that shut their doors to all visitors while I was here last spring. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:21 12:07 |
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Location:
Santa Ana NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: NorthernShoveler_D5X4280-SantaAna-NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Crested Titmouse(Baeolophus atricristatus) |
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Description: I hadn’t seen a Black-Crested Titmouse since leaving south Texas in 2021. My time on South Padre Island in September 2022 let me meet a lot of nice birds, but the titmouse was not among them. I had to wander up the Rio Grande Valley to meet them again. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 10:51 |
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Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: BlackCrestedTitmouse_8505577-SantaAna.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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