Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge near Stevensville Montana in the Bitterroot Valley sits along the Bitterroot River about 25 miles from where it empties into the Clark Fork River in Missoula. There are grassy fields, small lakes, meandering streams, marshes and riparian areas. Great Blue Herons nest in the taller trees. Ospreys nest on erected platforms and most of the birds found at this site (there are plenty) seem well adapted to conditions found on this reserve.
There were woodpeckers here I know, but they evaded me successfully. Subjects that I did manage to capture were Bald Eagle, Black-Billed Magpie, California Quail, Canada Geese, Canada Goose Babies, Chipping Sparrow, Cinnamon Teal, Common Yellow-Throat, Eastern Kingbird, Gadwall, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Mountain Cottontail, Northern Flicker, Northern Shoveler, Redhead, Red-Winged Blackbird, Spotted Sandpiper, Western Wood-Pewee and Yellow-Headed Blackbird. I was very pleased with the results on some of the birds, especially the flicker and the yellow-throat.
Lewis's Woodpecker(Melanerpes lewis) |
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Description: I found these birds on their breeding grounds at Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana USA 2015-05-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 11:32 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X5198-LewisWoodPecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Eastern Kingbird(Tyrannus tyrannus) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 11:43 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X5230-EasternKingBird |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Canada Goose(Branta canadensis) |
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Description: The geese at this refuge were raising babies during my visit. Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 11:58 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X5327-CanadaGeese-Chicks |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Canada Goose(Branta canadensis) |
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Description: The geese at this refuge were raising babies during my visit. Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 12:02 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X5339-CanadaGeese-Chicks |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lewis's Woodpecker(Melanerpes lewis) |
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Description: I found these birds on their breeding grounds at Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana USA 2015-05-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 11:27 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X5168-LewisWoodPecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Eastern Kingbird(Tyrannus tyrannus) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 12:37 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X5407-EasternKingBird |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bald Eagle(Haliaeetus leucocephalus) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 15:32 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X5500-BaldEagle-Nest |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 15:40 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X4935-Mallard |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Billed Magpie(Pica hudsonia) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 14:59 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X4809-BlackBilledMagpie-1 |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cinnamon Teal(Spatula cyanoptera) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 15:37 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X4915-CinnamonTeal |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Mountain Cottontail(Sylvilagus nuttallii) |
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Description: Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 10:00 |
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Location:
Bitterroot Court |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X4784-MountainCottontail |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
California Quail(Callipepla californica) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 19:02 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X5137-CaliforniaQuail |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Redhead(Aythya americana) |
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Description: Large open water ponds here attracted ducks and geese. Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 11:08 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X5150-RedHead |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Chipping Sparrow(Spizella passerina) |
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Description: Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 10:57 |
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Location:
Bitterroot Court |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X4796-ChippingSparrow |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Billed Magpie(Pica hudsonia) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 14:59 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X4809-BlackBilledMagpie |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Billed Magpie(Pica hudsonia) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 15:03 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4822-BlackBilledMagpie |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Billed Magpie(Pica hudsonia) |
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Description: I found these birds were nesting on the reserve in a magpie "condo". Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 15:03 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X4830-BlackBilledMagpie |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Billed Magpie(Pica hudsonia) |
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Description: I found these birds were nesting on the reserve in a magpie "condo". Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 15:04 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X4841-BlackBilledMagpie |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Shoveler(Spatula clypeata) |
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Description: Large open water ponds here attracted ducks and geese. Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 15:25 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X4898-NorthernShoveler |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 15:41 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X4944-Gadwall |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Headed Blackbird(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) |
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Description: I found both Yellow-Headed and Red-Winged Blackbirds at Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 15:45 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X4959-YellowHeadedBlackBird |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularius) |
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Description: Breeding adult at the Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana USA 2015-05-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 18:01 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X5030-SpottedSandpiper |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularius) |
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Description: Breeding adult at the Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana USA 2015-05-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 18:05 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X5049-SpottedSandpiper |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cinnamon Teal(Spatula cyanoptera) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 18:38 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X5077-CinnamonTeal |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 11:53 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X5272-NorthernFlicker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 11:55 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X5307-NorthernFlicker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus) |
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Description: I found both Yellow-Headed and Red-Winged Blackbirds at Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 12:09 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X5367-RedWingedBlackBird |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus) |
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Description: I found both Yellow-Headed and Red-Winged Blackbirds at Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 12:09 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X5374-RedWingedBlackBird |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 12:54 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X5430-CommonYellowThroat |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas) |
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Description: A meeting at the Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana USA 2015-05-27. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 12:57 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X5438-CommonYellowThroat |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red-Winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 12:58 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X5463-RedWingedBlackBird-Female |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Wood-Pewee(Contopus sordidulus) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 13:07 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X5475-WesternWoodPewee |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Wood-Pewee(Contopus sordidulus) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 13:07 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X5477-WesternWoodPewee |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bald Eagle(Haliaeetus leucocephalus) |
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Description: A fly-over at Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:27 15:40 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: D3X5546-BaldEagle |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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