Tern Eggs
On this page are images of eggs from birds in the “tern clan”. Most of these were taken at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo California. Some were taken while in the company of USF&W biologists in San Diego County.
57 Photos

Common Tern(Sterna hirundo) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 13:28 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/1 |
File Name: CommonTern_D3X4749-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Common Tern(Sterna hirundo) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 13:28 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/2 |
File Name: CommonTern_D3X4750-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Elegant Tern(Thalasseus elegans) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:31 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/5 |
File Name: ElegantTern_D3X4725-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Elegant Tern(Thalasseus elegans) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:34 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/3 |
File Name: ElegantTern_D3X4727-Eggts |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Elegant Tern(Thalasseus elegans) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:35 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/4 |
File Name: ElegantTern_D3X4728-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Forster's Tern(Sterna forsteri) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California USA 2011-11-01. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 13:25 |
Location:
Western Foundation of Vertebrate |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/1 |
File Name: ForstersTern_D3X4746-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Forster's Tern(Sterna forsteri) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 13:25 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/1 |
File Name: ForstersTern_D3X4747-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Gull-Billed Tern(Gelochelidon nilotica) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 11:47 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/3 |
File Name: GullBilledTern_D3X4703-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Gull-Billed Tern(Gelochelidon nilotica) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 11:50 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/2 |
File Name: GullBilledTern_D3X4705-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Gull-Billed Tern(Gelochelidon nilotica) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 11:51 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/4 |
File Name: GullBilledTern_D3X4706-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Least Tern(Sternula antillarum) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 13:23 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/1 |
File Name: LeastTern_D3X4743-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Sandwich Tern(Thalasseus sandvicensis) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:38 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/6 |
File Name: SandwichTern_D3X4730-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Sandwich Tern(Thalasseus sandvicensis) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:41 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/6 |
File Name: SandwichTern_D3X4731-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Sandwich Tern(Thalasseus sandvicensis) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:41 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/6 |
File Name: SandwichTern_D3X4733-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Sandwich Tern(Thalasseus sandvicensis) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:43 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/6 |
File Name: SandwichTern_D3X4734-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Sooty Tern(Onychoprion fuscatus) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:12 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/4 |
File Name: SootyTern_D3X4715-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Sooty Tern(Onychoprion fuscatus) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:14 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/5 |
File Name: SootyTern_D3X4716-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Sooty Tern(Onychoprion fuscatus) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:15 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/4 |
File Name: SootyTern_D3X4717-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Sooty Tern(Onychoprion fuscatus) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:16 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/4 |
File Name: SootyTern_D3X4718-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Least Tern(Sternula antillarum) |
Description: Nest in the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 9:10 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: JCD8799.LeastTern.Egg_-1 |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:07:24 8:31 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X0766-BlackSkimmer-Eggs |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Arctic Tern(Sterna paradisaea) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 13:30 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/1 |
File Name: ArcticTern_D3X4752-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Arctic Tern(Sterna paradisaea) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 13:30 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/1 |
File Name: ArcticTern_D3X4753-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:48 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/3 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D3X4736-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:49 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/5 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D3X4737-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:50 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/3 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D3X4738-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:51 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/3 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D3X4739-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 12:54 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/4 |
File Name: BlackSkimmer_D3X4740-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 13:32 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/11.0, 1/0 |
File Name: BlackTern_D3X4755-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertibrate Zoology in Camarillo, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:02 13:33 |
Location:
W. Fdn. of Vertibrate Zoology |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/8.0, 1/1 |
File Name: BlackTern_D3X4757-Eggs |
© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Black Skimmer(Rynchops niger) |
Description: Nest found during Tern survey day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:08 13:11 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/10.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X2691-BlackSkimmer-Eggs |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Least Tern(Sternula antillarum) |
Description: Eggs in "nest" at a protected nesting site on the beach at Border Field, south of Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2017:06:01 9:16 |
Location:
Border Field |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: LeastTern_D5X4407-Eggs-Nest |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Least Tern(Sternula antillarum) |
Description: Eggs in 'nest' at a protected nesting site on the beach at Border Field, south of Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2017:06:01 9:09 |
Location:
Border Field |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: LeastTern_D5X4392-Eggs-Nest |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Least Tern(Sternula antillarum) |
Description: Eggs in 'nest' at a protected nesting site on the beach at Border Field, south of Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2017:06:01 11:20 |
Location:
Border Field |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LeastTern_D5X4517-Eggs-Nest |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Least Tern(Sternula antillarum) |
Description: Eggs in 'nest' at a protected nesting site on the beach at Border Field, south of Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2017:06:01 11:36 |
Location:
Border Field |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LeastTern_D5X4780-Eggs-Nest |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
Description: A chick about to emerge from a 'pipped' egg at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 10:03 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 420 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD9747.CaspianTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Gull-Billed Tern(Gelochelidon nilotica) |
Description: Gull-billed Tern nests are monitored very closely at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 13:46 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD0209.GullBilledTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Forster's Tern(Sterna forsteri) |
Description: Unlike most terns, Forster's Terns build a rudimentary nest. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:06:03 9:39 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/9.0, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD0442.ForstersTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Least Tern(Sternula antillarum) |
Description: Nest at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 9:10 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: JCD8799.LeastTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Least Tern(Sternula antillarum) |
Description: Nest at the Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 9:06 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: JCD8797.LeastTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Royal Tern(Thalasseus maximus) |
Description: Single egg is likely an incomplete clutch. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 10:54 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD9271.RoyalTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Gull-Billed Tern(Gelochelidon nilotica) |
Description: Brand new chick at the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 10:41 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000 |
File Name: GullBilledTern_D5X1722-Chick-Nest |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Gull-Billed Tern(Gelochelidon nilotica) |
Description: Brand new chick at the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 10:40 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 280 mm, f/6.3, 1/6400 |
File Name: GullBilledTern_D5X1708-Chick-Nest |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Gull-Billed Tern(Gelochelidon nilotica) |
Description: A chick has just "pipped" the egg a the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 10:40 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 280 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000 |
File Name: GullBilledTern_D5X1702-Chick-Egg |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Gull-Billed Tern(Gelochelidon nilotica) |
Description: Brand new chick at the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 10:39 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 280 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000 |
File Name: GullBilledTern_D5X1694-Chick-Nest |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Gull-Billed Tern(Gelochelidon nilotica) |
Description: Brand new chick at the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 8:59 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 280 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: GullBilledTern_D5X1189-Chick-Nest |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Least Tern(Sternula antillarum) |
Description: Eggs in 'nest' at a protected nesting site on the beach at Border Field, south of Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2017:06:01 11:36 |
Location:
Border Field |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LeastTern_D5X4785-Eggs-Nest |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Forster's Tern(Sterna forsteri) |
Description: Forster's Terns build more of a structure than do their neighbors here. This nest sports a dead fish! Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 11:02 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 280 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD9850.ForstersTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Forster's Tern(Sterna forsteri) |
Description: Forster's Terns build more of a structure than do their neighbors here. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 11:01 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 490 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 |
File Name: JCD9846.ForstersTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Forster's Tern(Sterna forsteri) |
Description: Unlike most terns, Forster's Terns build a rudimentary nest. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:06:03 9:35 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/9.0, 1/250 |
File Name: JCD0409.ForstersTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


Caspian Tern(Hydroprogne caspia) |
Description: This nest's first hatchling. The 'odd' egg appears to be an abandon Double-Crested Cormorant egg. Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:27 10:00 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 460 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD9740.CaspianTern.Egg_.Chick_ |
© 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Caspian Tern Nest(Hydroprogne caspia) |
Description: Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 10:06 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 280 mm, f/7.1, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD8901.CaspianTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


Elegant Tern(Thalasseus elegans) |
Description: Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 10:03 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1500 |
File Name: JCD8895.ElegantTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Elegant Tern(Thalasseus elegans) |
Description: Egg field at the Saltworks. South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 10:20 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 280 mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD9053.ElegantTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Elegant Tern(Thalasseus elegans) |
Description: Saltworks at South San Diego Bay NWR. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:20 10:03 |
Location:
Saltworks |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/800 |
File Name: JCD8897.ElegantTern.Egg_ |
© 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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