Whoever said “you must suffer for your art” must have been thinking about photographing birds at the Salton Sea in mid-summer. Temperatures here often elevate to over 115°F in the shade. Standing in the midday sun, trying to catch an image, is a test of one’s endurance, fortitude, patience and sanity. Not that the birds seem to mind, but what choice do they have?
Each season at the Salton Sea offers its own experience. Summers show us the breeders. Spring and fall provide migrants, many of whom stay only a short while. Winter is when geese and cranes arrive to fatten up on the crops grown just for them. Some birds stay year round. I’ve visited this place many times and despite these mentioned consistencies, every time I go there it provides a unique experience. I never tire of coming to this place.
Birds I met on this expedition were Eared Grebe, Burrowing Owl, White-Winged Dove, Gambel’s Quail, Common Ground Dove, Abert’s Towhee, Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Yellow-Footed Gull, Western Sandpiper, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Black Tern, Forster’s Tern, Double-Crested Cormorant. Other creatures I encountered were Bobcat and Desert Spiny Lizard.
Brown Pelican(Pelecanus occidentalis) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 9:57 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X6605-BrownPelican |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black-Crowned Night-Heron(Nycticorax nycticorax) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 9:22 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X6504-BlackCrownedNightHeron |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Yellow-Footed Gull(Larus livens) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 9:29 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X6514-YellowFootedGull |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Western Sandpiper(Calidris mauri) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 9:31 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6518-WesternSandpiper |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Western Sandpiper(Calidris mauri) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 9:33 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X6522-WesternSandpiper |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Great Egret(Ardea alba) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 9:35 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X6529-GreatEgret |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 9:40 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6544-BlackTern |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Forster's Tern(Sterna forsteri) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 9:54 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6599-ForstersTern |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black-Crowned Night-Heron(Nycticorax nycticorax) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 9:22 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X6502-BlackCrownedNightHeron |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Snowy Egret(Egretta thula) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 10:06 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X6619-SnowyEgret |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Forster's Tern(Sterna forsteri) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 10:14 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6639-ForstersTern |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Forster's Tern(Sterna forsteri) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 10:16 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X6650-ForstersTern |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 10:17 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6657-BlackTern |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 10:17 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6658-BlackTern |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Double-Crested Cormorant(Phalacrocorax auritus) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 10:19 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X6679-DoubleCrestedCormorant |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
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Description: Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 10:24 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6695-BlackTern |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Eared Grebe(Podiceps nigricollis) |
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Description: Community of North Shore at the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:25 16:55 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X6317-EaredGrebe |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Abert's Towhee(Melozone aberti) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 8:51 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X6486-AbertsTowhee |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Desert Spiny Lizard(Sceloporus magister) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 8:35 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X6457-DesertSpinyLizard |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Gambel's Quail(Callipepla gambelii) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 8:26 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X6427-GambelsQuail |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 8:03 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X6390-WhiteWingedDove |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Bobcat(Lynx Rufus) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 7:56 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X6384-BobCat-Kitten |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Bobcat(Lynx Rufus) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 7:55 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X6380-BobCat-Kitten |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Bobcat(Lynx Rufus) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 7:55 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X6377-BobCat-Kitten |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Bobcat(Lynx Rufus) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 7:55 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X6370-BobCat |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Bobcat(Lynx Rufus) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 7:54 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X6366-BobCat |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Bobcat(Lynx Rufus) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 7:53 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X6361-BobCat |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Burrowing Owl(Athene cunicularia) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 7:26 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6353-BurrowingOwl |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Burrowing Owl(Athene cunicularia) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 7:22 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X6349-BurrowingOwl |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Eared Grebe(Podiceps nigricollis) |
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Description: Community of North Shore at the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:25 17:02 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6340-EaredGrebe |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Eared Grebe(Podiceps nigricollis) |
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Description: Community of North Shore at the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:25 16:57 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X6322-EaredGrebe |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Common Ground-Dove(Columbina passerina) |
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Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 8:42 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X6472-CommonGroundDove |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Great Blue Heron(Ardea herodias) |
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Description: Skimming the surface on take-off on the Southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 9:39 |
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Location:
Salton Sea |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6541-GreatBlueHeron |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
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