There is a small reserve on the northwestern edge of Albuquerque I have enjoyed since some of my earliest visits to the region. It is the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. Within its grounds are woodlands (called a bosque), open fields, and wetlands with ponds. My previous visits to this reserve have been during spring through late summer, and I looked forward to meeting the birds of winter here. I was not disappointed.
My friend Jerry drove us from his Nob Hill home near Central Avenue in Albuquerque, and after enjoying the scene at the blind in front of the wetlands near the parking lot (including a beaver munching breakfast), I left him to enjoy his photo-ops while seated, and I wandered the grounds with my tripod and camera gear.
The strains of winter had denuded the trees in the bosque, but this allowed me to see the hordes of small passerines flitting about the bare branches. Finches were present in abundance, especially Pine Siskins. Another species I enjoyed meeting were the Black-Capped Chickadees. Tuesday, at the 10,600’ Sandia Crest, I met Mountain Chickadees. Now on Wednesday, on the Rio Grande Valley floor, the chickadees were Black-Capped. By the time we finished our visit, I met and photographed American Goldfinches, a North American Beaver, Black-Capped Chickadees, Buffleheads, Canada Geese, Gadwalls, Lesser Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, a Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebirds, White-Breasted Nuthatches, and Yellow-Rumped Warblers (both Audubon’s and Myrtle Warblers).
Winter isn’t the best time to document the scenery at the reserve. I would encourage the reader to use the map attached to the gallery and switch to satellite view, then zoom in to get an aerial view of the location.
American Goldfinch(Spinus tristis) |
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Description: This was my first meeting with winterized American Goldfinches. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:27 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: AmericanGoldfinch_D5X7860-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Goldfinch(Spinus tristis) |
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Description: This was my first meeting with winterized American Goldfinches. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:31 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: AmericanGoldfinch_D5X7888-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
American Goldfinch(Spinus tristis) |
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Description: This was my first meeting with winterized American Goldfinches. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:32 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: AmericanGoldfinch_D5X7915-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
North American Beaver(Castor canadensis) |
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Description: Waterfowl wasn’t the only life-form on the water this morning. I found this beaver snacking on twigs. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 10:28 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Beaver_D5X7594-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Capped Chickadee(Poecile atricapillus) |
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Description: Tuesday at 10,600’ the chickadees I met were Mountain Chickadees. Now Wednesday, at 4900’ it was Black-Capped Chickadees. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:11 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: BlackCappedChickadee_D5X7953-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Capped Chickadee(Poecile atricapillus) |
|
Description: Tuesday at 10,600’ the chickadees I met were Mountain Chickadees. Now Wednesday, at 4900’ it was Black-Capped Chickadees. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:18 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: BlackCappedChickadee_D5X7992-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Capped Chickadee(Poecile atricapillus) |
|
Description: Tuesday at 10,600’ the chickadees I met were Mountain Chickadees. Now Wednesday, at 4900’ it was Black-Capped Chickadees. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:56 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: BlackCappedChickadee_D5X8157-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bufflehead(Bucephala albeola) |
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Description: The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:36 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Bufflehead_D5X8062-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bufflehead(Bucephala albeola) |
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Description: The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:38 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Bufflehead_D5X8084-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Canada Goose(Branta canadensis) |
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Description: It was cold, and the geese had to contend with ice on the water. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 10:53 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: CanadaGoose_D5X7623-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Canada Goose(Branta canadensis) |
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Description: It was cold, and the geese had to contend with ice on the water. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 10:53 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: CanadaGoose_D5X7632-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Canada Goose(Branta canadensis) |
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Description: Canada Geese were constantly moving around on the reserve during my visit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:52 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: CanadaGoose_D5X8119-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: The Gadwall I saw on the water were all males. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:28 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X8015-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: The Gadwall I saw on the water were all males. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:35 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X8053-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lesser Goldfinch(Spinus psaltria) |
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Description: There was a riches in finches on this morning, with American and this Lesser Goldfinch, along with abundant Pine Siskins. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:28 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: LesserGoldfinch_D5X7879-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Pine Siskin(Spinus pinus) |
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Description: There was an abundance of Pine Siskins during my visit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:12 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: PineSiskin_D5X7656-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Pine Siskin(Spinus pinus) |
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Description: There was an abundance of Pine Siskins during my visit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:13 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: PineSiskin_D5X7671-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Pine Siskin(Spinus pinus) |
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Description: There was an abundance of Pine Siskins during my visit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:16 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: PineSiskin_D5X7719-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Pine Siskin(Spinus pinus) |
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Description: There was an abundance of Pine Siskins during my visit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:32 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: PineSiskin_D5X7923-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Spotted Towhee(Pipilo maculatus) |
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Description: Spotted Towhees are year-round residents in the Rio Grande Valley. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:38 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: SpottedTowhee_D5X7930-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
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Description: I didn’t photograph the Eastern Bluebirds I saw here, but just as is shown by this Western Bluebird, both species were enjoying the mistletoe fruit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:40 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WesternBluebird_D5X7940-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis) |
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Description: White-Breasted Nuthatches seem to be present here at any time of the year. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:17 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WhiteBreastedNuthatch_D5X7740-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis) |
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Description: White-Breasted Nuthatches seem to be present here at any time of the year. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:17 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteBreastedNuthatch_D5X7760-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis) |
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Description: White-Breasted Nuthatches seem to be present here at any time of the year. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:19 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WhiteBreastedNuthatch_D5X7794-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata auduboni) |
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Description: I found both the Audubon’s and the Myrtle forms of Yellow-Rumped Warbler this morning. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:25 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: YellowRumpedWarbler-Audubon_D5X7847-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata coronata) |
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Description: I found both Audubon’s and this Myrtle form of Yellow-Rumped Warbler during my visit. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 11:22 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: YellowRumpedWarbler-Myrtle_D5X7823-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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