Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
Regulus calendula
The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet ranges across nearly all of North America and Mexico, breeding in the north and wintering in the south. In the intermountain western USA and Great Basin, these birds may be resident year-round, though here many will come for only the summer’s breeding season. Most of their population ventures further north into Alaska and across Canada to the Atlantic shores. Winter weather will drive many south where they may range from the Pacific Northwest into Mexico, and across the USA’s mid-Atlantic states and south to the Gulf of Mexico and Florida.
These active little bundles of energy can be difficult to get good looks at, as they forage through tree foliage in search of tiny insect prey. When seen in glimpses, it can get confused with a Hutton’s Vireo, but a clean view at the beak reveals the truth. The vireo’s beak is stout with a shrike-like hook at the tip, while the kinglet’s bill is fine and pointed.
My meetings with these active little birds have been throughout western North America from southeastern Alaska, British Colombia, Montana, Wyoming and Texas, and from southern Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona. These birds move rapidly through dense foliage and are very tough to capture respectable images. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good!
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Planet Ranch bosque on the eastern side of Bill Williams NWR in Arizona. North of Parker, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:25 12:44 |
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Location:
Bill Williams NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X2202-RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Planet Ranch bosque on the eastern side of Bill Williams NWR in Arizona. North of Parker, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:25 12:48 |
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Location:
Bill Williams NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X2222-RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Planet Ranch bosque on the eastern side of Bill Williams NWR in Arizona. North of Parker, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:25 12:53 |
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Location:
Bill Williams NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X2247-RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Planet Ranch bosque on the eastern side of Bill Williams NWR in Arizona. North of Parker, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:25 12:54 |
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Location:
Bill Williams NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X2259-RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Planet Ranch bosque on the eastern side of Bill Williams NWR in Arizona. North of Parker, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2014:11:25 13:00 |
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Location:
Planet Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/200 |
File Name: D3X2273-RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Near Whitegrass Ranch Road off the Moose-Wilson Road in Teton National Park north of Jackson Wyoming. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:19 12:11 |
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Location:
Whitegrass Ranch Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X3455-RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: I found the birds were shy along Burnt Fork Road into the Sapphire Mountains near Stevensville Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:23 16:33 |
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Location:
Sapphire Mountains |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X4324-RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Community Park along Rattlesnake Creek in Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:01:07 10:04 |
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Location:
Community Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X4766-RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Community Park along Rattlesnake Creek in Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:01:07 10:05 |
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Location:
Community Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X4769-RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Kootenay River, Brithish Columbia, Canada. |
Date Taken: 2005:05:30 14:10 |
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Location:
Kootenay Crossing |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 500 mm, f/7.6, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD2752RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2005 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Kate Sessions Park. La Jolla, California. |
Date Taken: 2003:11:01 15:15 |
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Location:
Pacific Beach |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/7.6, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD_3783RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Kate Sessions Park. La Jolla, California. |
Date Taken: 2003:11:01 15:15 |
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Location:
Pacific Beach |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/7.6, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD_3784RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Lower Klamath Lake. California-Oregon Border. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:16 14:37 |
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Location:
Worden |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD_4889RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Sacramento NWR, near Willows, Northern California. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:17 13:42 |
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Location:
Norman |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD_5009RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Fish Creek, near Hyder, in extreme southeastern Alaska. |
Date Taken: 2005:07:20 10:23 |
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Location:
Fish Creek |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/50 |
File Name: JCD9753RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: The Ruby-Crowned Kinklet, when actively feeding on insects gleaned from leaves, can be very difficult to follow with the camera. This bird was no exception. Camped with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum at Granite Wells and gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:12:01 10:20 |
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Location:
Granite Well |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X1497 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: A few captured moments with thirsty bathers in November with yardbirds at my Poway home. Poway California in San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:11:23 14:52 |
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Location:
Poway Grove Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X8255-Poway |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: The "Birding Trail Loop" at Catalina State Park, north of Tucson Arizona is favorite destination for bird lovers. Depending on the season, it can yield some nice bird encounters. |
Date Taken: 2019:10:24 11:10 |
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Location:
Catalina State Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X5125-CatalinaStatePark |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
Date Taken: 2005:05:30 14:13 |
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Location:
Kootenay Crossing |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 500 mm, f/6.3, 1/160 |
File Name: JCD2766RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: I'd camped here in late September with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:11:28 5:58 |
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Location:
Cottonwood Spring |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/6400 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X0373 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, when actively feeding on insects gleaned from leaves, can be very difficult to follow with the camera. This bird was no exception. Camped with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum at Granite Wells and gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:12:01 10:17 |
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Location:
Granite Well |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X1467 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
|
Description: The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, when actively feeding on insects gleaned from leaves, can be very difficult to follow with the camera. This bird was no exception. Camped with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum at Granite Wells and gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:12:01 10:19 |
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Location:
Granite Well |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X1486 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
|
Description: The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, when actively feeding on insects gleaned from leaves, can be very difficult to follow with the camera. This bird was no exception. Camped with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum at Granite Wells and gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:12:01 10:20 |
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Location:
Granite Well |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X1493 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
|
Description: The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, when actively feeding on insects gleaned from leaves, can be very difficult to follow with the camera. This bird was no exception. Camped with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum at Granite Wells and gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:12:01 10:25 |
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Location:
Granite Well |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X1529 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
|
Description: The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, when actively feeding on insects gleaned from leaves, can be very difficult to follow with the camera. This bird was no exception. Camped with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum at Granite Wells and gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:12:01 10:22 |
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Location:
Granite Well |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X1523 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Autumn visitor found along Morris Creek in Garner Valley. Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:10:23 10:08 |
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Location:
Garner Valley |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X1461-RubyCrownedKinglet |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Twin Lakes in Mammoth California elevation 8625 feet. Mono County California in the eastern Sierras. |
Date Taken: 2017:07:16 8:41 |
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Location:
Twin Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X9448-TwinLakes |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Twin Lakes in Mammoth California elevation 8625 feet. Mono County California in the eastern Sierras. |
Date Taken: 2017:07:16 8:51 |
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Location:
Twin Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X9551-TwinLakes |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Twin Lakes in Mammoth California elevation 8625 feet. Mono County California in the eastern Sierras. |
Date Taken: 2017:07:16 8:41 |
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Location:
Twin Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X9455-TwinLakes |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Camped with the San Diego Natural History team near Campo California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2017:10:26 8:30 |
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Location:
Clover Flat |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X5693-CloverFlats |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: Another bird I met on my bike ride along the San Felipe Creek in Del Rio Texas, was this vireo. Eventually I learned these birds were present in many of the locations I would be visiting. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:09 15:54 |
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Location:
San Felipe Creek |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D508325-DelRioTexas |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: I spent an early mid-November morning at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior Arizona, where I met some of the winter visitors, such as this bird. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:16 10:58 |
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Location:
Boyce-Thompson Arboretum |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X1084-BoyceThompson |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: I spent an early mid-November morning at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior Arizona, where I found a sap tree made by this Red-Naped Sapsucker. Several other species were reaping the benefits of this food source. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:16 10:57 |
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Location:
Boyce-Thompson Arboretum |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X1042-BoyceThompson |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula) |
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Description: At 6:15am I was the first guest at the preserve and I stayed until 12:30. Bird Viewing Preserve in Henderson, southern Nevada. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:09 10:03 |
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Location:
Bird Viewing Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: RubyCrownedKinglet_D5X8241-Henderson-BVP |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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