Neotropic Cormorant
Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Other than the Double-Crested, the Neotropic Cormorant is the only other North American cormorant that we commonly find in fresh water environs. Both cormorants have green eyes, but the Neotropic is smaller and has a longer tail than the Double-Crested. Breeding Neotropic Cormorants show a white chevron pattern behind the facial skin, but this can be hard to see in non-breeding birds. Most of the population of these birds stay well south of the southern USA border, even across most of South America, but they show up during breeding season in a few southern states, especially Texas, where the gulf coast hosts them year round.
I met my first Neotropic Cormorants during a summer visit to Bosque del Apache in 2003, then again in 2016. Until 2020, New Mexico birds were the only members of this species I’d met. I finally met some more of these birds during my Spring 2020 and 2021 expeditions to Texas.
When I visited Anahuac NWR in the spring of 2021, and again in the late summer of 2022, I enjoyed close encounters with these birds at the side of the auto tour road, and caught them from the open window of my RV.
Two subspecies are recognized by most taxonomists:
- P. b. mexicanus breeds in the southern United States from Arizona to Louisiana, and south to Costa Rica, the Bahamas and Cuba. Birds it the northern part of their range migrate south in winter.
- P. b. brasilianus lives from Panama and south throughout South America to Cape Horn. In winter, some birds in the southern part of range disperse north.
30 Photos
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Bosque del Apache NWR. Near Socorro, New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2003:08:25 17:59 |
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Location:
Tiffany |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD_0887NeoTropicCormorant |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Bosque del Apache NWR. Near Socorro, New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2003:08:25 18:12 |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750 |
File Name: JCD_0906NeoTropicCormorant |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Bosque del Apache NWR. Near Socorro, New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2003:08:25 18:30 |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD_0928NeoTropicCormorant |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Bosque del Apache NWR. Near Socorro, New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2003:08:25 18:12 |
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Location:
Bosque del Apache NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750 |
File Name: Cut-JCD_0906NeoTropicCormorant |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Loafing with White-Faced Ibis at Bosque del Apache NWR. Near Socorro, New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2003:08:25 10:41 |
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Location:
Bosque Del Apache |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD_0698-NeoTropicCormorant.WF-Ibis |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Bosque Del Apache, south of Socorro New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:23 13:53 |
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Location:
Bosque Del Apache |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D726667-NeoTropicCormorant |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Neotropic Cormorants frequently take in the morning sun at my "home base" in Brownsville Texas, where a "Resaca" or Oxbow lake is on its southern border. I spent April Fools morning checking out the local bird life. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:01 8:39 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 |
File Name: NeoTropicCormorant_D507700-BreezeLake-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Neotropic Cormorants frequently take in the morning sun at my "home base" in Brownsville Texas, where a "Resaca" or Oxbow lake is on its southern border. I spent April Fools morning checking out the local bird life. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:01 8:39 |
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Location:
Breeze Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 |
File Name: NeoTropicCormorant_D507683-BreezeLake-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Loafing cormorants. My second day at Aransas NWR on Monday, was only a half day, mostly spent at Heron Flats. The cranes that eluded me on Sunday gave themselves to me on this morning, as did some other nice birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:16 9:43 |
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Location:
Aransas NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_D501900_Aransas-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: At the 'Old Rookery' in Bosque Del Apache, south of Socorro New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:18 16:33 |
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Location:
Bosque Del Apache |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X6648-NeoTropicCormorant |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: At the 'Old Rookery' in Bosque Del Apache, south of Socorro New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:18 16:38 |
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Location:
Bosque Del Apache |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X6684-NeoTropicCormorant |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: At the 'Old Rookery' in Bosque Del Apache, south of Socorro New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:18 16:38 |
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Location:
Bosque Del Apache |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X6676-NeoTropicCormorant |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Neotropic Cormorants are much smaller than their Double-Crested cousins. My third day of exploration of Aransas NWR was a memorable one. I boarded the tour boat the "Skimmer" and got schooled by Captain Tommy Moore on a three plus hour cruise of the back-bays and waterways beyond the view of the public from the tour roads on the reserve. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:17 10:47 |
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Location:
Aransas NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_D503700-BoatRide-Aransas-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: I would have expected to see more Double-Crested Cormorants here, but these smaller Neotropics were all that I met. It was a lovely day at the Gilbert Water Ranch. The weather was mild, and the winds were calm. Gilbert is in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:11 12:18 |
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Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: NeoTropicCormorant_D5X8935-GilbertWaterRanch |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: 2003-08-25 Bosque del Apache NWR. Near Socorro, New Mexico. (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
Date Taken: 2003:08:25 10:20 |
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Location:
Bosque Del Apache |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/180 |
File Name: JCD_0681-NeoTropicCormorant. |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: 2003-08-25 Bosque del Apache NWR. Near Socorro, New Mexico. (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
Date Taken: 2003:08:25 17:59 |
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Location:
Bosque Del Apache |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD_0887-NeoTropicCormorant |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: 2003-08-25 Bosque del Apache NWR. Near Socorro, New Mexico. (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
Date Taken: 2003:08:25 18:12 |
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Location:
Bosque Del Apache |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: JCD_0912-NeoTropicCormorant |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Neotropic Cormorants plied the shallow marsh waters for fishy prey. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 13:12 |
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Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: NeoTropicCormorant_D5X1007SouthPadre-WBC |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
|
Description: Neotropic Cormorants plied the shallow marsh waters for fishy prey. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 13:09 |
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Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/800 |
File Name: NeoTropicCormorant_D5X0971SouthPadre-WBC |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: The near-shore fishing seemed good for the cormorants. I loaded my gear on my bike and rode out on Boca Chica Beach to the mouth of the Rio Grande, where the fresh water meets the Gulf of Mexico. Here the chances to meet and observe the dynamic interaction of species are high. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:27 10:09 |
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Location:
Boca Chica Beach |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_D5X6672-BocaChicaBeach |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: These Neotropic Cormorants held their ground at the road’s edge, allowing me to pass by slowly and capture close-ups. I broke camp at High Island early Monday and set a course for nearby Anahuac National Wildlife Reserve. There are several roads to explore there, but I chose the loop around Shoveler Pond. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:08 9:46 |
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Location:
Anahuac NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_D5X0644-Anahuac_NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
|
Description: These Neotropic Cormorants held their ground at the road’s edge, allowing me to pass by slowly and capture close-ups. I broke camp at High Island early Monday and set a course for nearby Anahuac National Wildlife Reserve. There are several roads to explore there, but I chose the loop around Shoveler Pond. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:08 9:42 |
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Location:
Anahuac NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_D5X0575-Anahuac_NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: Essential to nest building is gathering sticks for construction. The grunting calls of Neotropic Cormorants were the loudest sounds on the rookery pond. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:06 17:15 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_D5X9997-HighIsland_SmithOaks |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
|
Description: The grunting calls of Neotropic Cormorants were the loudest sounds on the rookery pond. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:06 8:53 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_D5X8739-HighIsland_SmithOaks |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
|
Description: These Neotropic Cormorants held their ground at the road’s edge, allowing me to pass by slowly and capture close-ups. I broke camp at High Island early Monday and set a course for nearby Anahuac National Wildlife Reserve. There are several roads to explore there, but I chose the loop around Shoveler Pond. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:08 9:46 |
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Location:
Anahuac NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_D5X0628-Anahuac_NWR |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: These cormorants posed nicely at the West Line Road near the boat launch at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2022:08:17 11:46 |
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Location:
West Line Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_8504686-Anahuac.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: These cormorants posed nicely at the West Line Road near the boat launch at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2022:08:17 11:44 |
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Location:
West Line Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_8504666-Anahuac.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
|
Description: These cormorants posed nicely at the West Line Road near the boat launch at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2022:08:17 11:42 |
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Location:
West Line Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/4000 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_8504599-Anahuac.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
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Description: These cormorants posed nicely at the West Line Road near the boat launch at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2022:08:17 11:43 |
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Location:
West Line Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_8504616-Anahuac.NWR_01 |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Neotropic Cormorant(Phalacrocorax brasilianus) |
|
Description: These cormorants posed nicely at the West Line Road near the boat launch at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2022:08:17 11:43 |
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Location:
West Line Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/5000 |
File Name: NeotropicCormorant_8504605-Anahuac.NWR_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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