Memories of Whelan Lake | shadeTreeImaging

Redhead - Aythya americana — *This image helped document the breeding of Redhead – (Aythya americana) for the San Diego County Bird Atlas at Whelan Lake near Oceanside, California in northern San Diego County.*

In 2003, my pursuit of bird photography was budding. I knew Phil Unitt was ramrodding the San Diego County Bird Atlas project, and I wanted to contribute. Phil had a large inventory of uncatalogued images from Tony Mercieca, but he hadn’t reviewed the collection. When he finally determined which images of Tony’s were candidates for the book, he gave me a list of subjects he still needed.

Phil helped point me to locations where these subjects might be found in the region, and even helped introduce me to key biologists, like Robert Patton, to provide access to protected areas. I am ever so grateful for this period of my life, and the experiences I was provided.

One location I enjoyed visiting repeatedly was Whelen Lake, east of Oceanside, and nestled between the San Luis Rey River and Camp Pendleton’s southern boundary. On my earliest visits I was still using film, but a few months later, I acquired my first dSLR, the Nikon D1X.

I got to know the property manager at Whelan Lake and the local resident, and was provided a key to access the property with my vehicle. I spent many hours in pursuit of birds there. I captured several species that helped the science authors tell their stories in the Atlas. When I photographed a Redhead mother with her ducklings in tow, it documented the first proof that the species nested in San Diego County.

Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis — **Ruddy Duck**
*(Oxyura jamaicensis)*

**Description:**
Male on Whelan Lake, near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:05:01 8:06

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED,

**File Name:** A3E01a16-RuddyDuck

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Pin It — **Ruddy Duck**
*(Oxyura jamaicensis)*

**Description:**
Male on Whelan Lake, near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:05:01 8:06

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED,

**File Name:** A3E01a16-RuddyDuck

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Pied-Billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps — **Pied-Billed Grebe**
*(Podilymbus podiceps)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:05:01 9:23

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED,

**File Name:** A3E01b27-PiedBilledGrebe

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Eared Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis — **Eared Grebe**
*(Podiceps nigricollis)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2002:05:18 9:23

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED,

**File Name:** A3E01d36-EaredGrebe

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Hooded Oriole - Icterus cucullatus — **Hooded Oriole**
*(Icterus cucullatus)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside. San Diego County, California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:05:01 10:40

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
62.34 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED,

**File Name:** A3E01e27-HoodedOriole

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Say's Phoebe - Sayornis saya — **Say's Phoebe**
*(Sayornis saya)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:05:11 9:23

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED,

**File Name:** A3E11c01-SaysPhoebe

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi — **White-faced Ibis**
*(Plegadis chihi)*

**Description:**
Complete with "White-Face" on display at Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2002:05:11 15:58

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED,

**File Name:** A3E11d29-WhiteFacedIbis

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus — **Killdeer**
*(Charadrius vociferus)*

**Description:**
This image helped document the breeding of this species for the San Diego County Bird Atlas. Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:05:18 8:06

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
LS-4000,

**File Name:** A3E18b11-Killdeer

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Black Phoebe - Sayornis nigricans — **Black Phoebe**
*(Sayornis nigricans)*

**Description:**
This image helped document the breeding of this species for the San Diego County Bird Atlas. Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:05:18 8:06

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**

**File Name:** A3E18d20BlackPhoebe

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea — **Blue Grosbeak**
*(Passerina caerulea)*

**Description:**
Male at Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:05:18 9:23

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED,

**File Name:** A3E18e15-BlueGrosbeak

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Downy Woodpecker - Dryobates pubescens — **Downy Woodpecker**
*(Dryobates pubescens)*

**Description:**
Female bird at Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County USA 2003-06-29.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:07:28 16:12

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**

**File Name:** A3F29g12DownyWoodpecker

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor — **Tree Swallow**
*(Tachycineta bicolor)*

**Description:**
Juvenile, waiting to be fed. Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:06:29 10:40

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
62.34 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**

**File Name:** A3F29g35-TreeSwallow-Juv

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Black-Crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax — **Black-Crowned Night-Heron**
*(Nycticorax nycticorax)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake, near Oceanside. San Diego County, California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:10:05 11:57

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
45.93 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/750

**File Name:** JCD_3320BlackCrownedNightHeron

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia — **Song Sparrow**
*(Melospiza melodia)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake, near Oceanside. San Diego County, California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:10:05 13:57

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
55.78 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/500

**File Name:** JCD_3357SongSparrow

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Cassin's Kingbird - Tyrannus vociferans — **Cassin's Kingbird**
*(Tyrannus vociferans)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake, near Oceanside. San Diego County, California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:10:05 14:19

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
62.34 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/350

**File Name:** JCD_3395CassinsKingBird

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Double-Crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus — **Double-Crested Cormorant**
*(Phalacrocorax auritus)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake, near Oceanside. San Diego County, California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:10:05 15:03

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/200

**File Name:** JCD_3410DoubleCrestedCormorant

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Northern Shoveler - Spatula clypeata — **Northern Shoveler**
*(Spatula clypeata)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake, near Oceanside. San Diego County, California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:10:05 15:16

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
65.62 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/500

**File Name:** JCD_3414NorthernShoveler

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Snowy Egret - Egretta thula — **Snowy Egret**
*(Egretta thula)*

**Description:**
With White-faced Ibis at Whelan Lake, near Oceanside. San Diego County, California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:10:05 15:47

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
65.62 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000

**File Name:** JCD_3433SnowyEgret

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

American White Pelican - Pelecanus erythrorhynchos — **American White Pelican**
*(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake, near Oceanside. San Diego County, California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:10:05 15:54

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
65.62 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500

**File Name:** JCD_3445WhitePelican

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos — **Mallard**
*(Anas platyrhynchos)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake, near Oceanside. San Diego County, California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:10:05 16:20

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/180

**File Name:** JCD_3480Mallard

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Long-Billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus scolopaceus — **Long-Billed Dowitcher**
*(Limnodromus scolopaceus)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake in Oceanside, San Diego County California 2003-10-09.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:10:09 11:23

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
72.18 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/250

**File Name:** JCD_3495LongBilledDowitcher

© 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius — **American Kestrel**
*(Falco sparverius)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake in Oceanside, San Diego County California 2003-10-09.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2003:10:09 12:09

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
72.18 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640

**File Name:** JCD_3512AmericanKestrel

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Yellow-Breasted Chat - Icteria virens — **Yellow-Breasted Chat**
*(Icteria virens)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake in Oceanside California 2004-05-20.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2004:05:20 12:35

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640

**File Name:** JCD_6518YellowBreastedChat

© 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Grasshopper Sparrow - Ammodramus savannarum — **Grasshopper Sparrow**
*(Ammodramus savannarum)*

**Description:**
My first meeting with this bird was at Whelan Lake, near Oceanside. San Diego County, California USA 2009-05-02.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2004:05:20 13:45

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250

**File Name:** JCD_6577GrassHopperSparrow

© 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

American Avocet - Recurvirostra americana — **American Avocet**
*(Recurvirostra americana)*

**Description:**
Whelan Lake in Oceanside California 2004-05-20.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2004:05:20 14:25

**Location:**

Whelan Lake
Oceanside, California
United States
59.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600

**File Name:** JCD_6607AmericanAvocet

© 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

Tweet

Click map markers to reveal further information

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensis

Male on Whelan Lake, near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Redhead

Aythya americana

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County.

Eared Grebe

Podiceps nigricollis

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside. San Diego County, California.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Pied-Billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

White-faced Ibis

Plegadis chihi

Complete with "White-Face" on display at Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County.

Redhead

Aythya americana

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County.

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

This image helped document the breeding of this species for the San Diego County Bird Atlas. Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County.

Redhead

Aythya americana

This image helped document the breeding of this species for the San Diego County Bird Atlas. Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County.

Eared Grebe

Podiceps nigricollis

Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Black Phoebe

Sayornis nigricans

This image helped document the breeding of this species for the San Diego County Bird Atlas. Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County.

Blue Grosbeak

Passerina caerulea

Male at Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Blue Grosbeak

Passerina caerulea

Male at Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Blue Grosbeak

Passerina caerulea

Female at Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. San Diego County.

Downy Woodpecker

Dryobates pubescens

Female bird at Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County USA 2003-06-29.

Tree Swallow