Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Tree Swallows breed in North America and spend their winters in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Historically, these birds have used natural cavities in trees for nesting, but they have learned to exploit bluebird nesting boxes.
While insects comprise most of their food base, they can survive on plant based food such as berries. In winter, this strategy helps them get through cold snaps, and factors into their being able to survive winters further north than other swallow species.
Extensively studied, researchers consider the Tree Swallow as a “model organism”. Close examinations of these birds have led to revelations about other species.
Researchers view the Tree Swallow as monotypic (i.e. there are no subspecies).
I once met this species near Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory (Canada) while on my way to Alaska in 2005. In 2022, I returned to Canada and met more of these brilliant birds in British Columbia and Alberta. However, most of my encounters have been in the lower forty-eight states, in California, Oregon, and Utah. Once, while exploring remote trails on the northeastern shores of Lake Crowley in the high country east of the Sierra-Nevada mountains, I found myself in a large mixed flock of swallows loafing in the sage-scrub near the water’s edge. Sharing company with the Tree Swallows were Bank, Cliff, Violet-Green, and Northern Rough-Winged Swallows. I suspect they were all tuckered out migrants, because they seemed content to sit for close portraits as long as I crept slowly or sat still.
47 Photos
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Loafing by Lake Crowley. Upper Owens River Valley. Mono County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:05:29 14:27 |
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Location:
Whitmore Hot Springs |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD9097-TreeSwallow |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Loafing by Lake Crowley. Upper Owens River Valley. Mono County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:05:29 14:22 |
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Location:
North Landing |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD9057-TreeSwallow |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Loafing by Lake Crowley. Upper Owens River Valley. Mono County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:05:29 13:58 |
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Location:
North Landing |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: JCD8998-TreeSwallow |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Juvenile, waiting to be fed. Whelan Lake. Near Oceanside, California. Northern San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2003:06:29 10:40 |
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Location:
Whelan Lake |
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Camera Information: |
File Name: A3F29g35-TreeSwallow-Juv |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: These birds were seen in the vicinity of the eastern shores of the Salton Sea. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:20 6:40 |
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Location:
Fondo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/18.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: TreeSwallow-_D5X5597 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:18 10:35 |
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Location:
Antelope Island |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D5X6963-AntelopeIsland |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:18 10:36 |
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Location:
Antelope Island |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D5X6973-AntelopeIsland |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:18 10:44 |
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Location:
Antelope Island |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D5X7220-AntelopeIsland |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:18 10:44 |
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Location:
Antelope Island |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D5X7235-AntelopeIsland |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:18 10:45 |
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Location:
Antelope Island |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D5X7287-AntelopeIsland |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:18 10:46 |
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Location:
Antelope Island |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D5X7335-AntelopeIsland |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
|
Description: Antelope Island State Park is one of the most memorable birding locations I've had the pleasure of visiting. It sits north of Salt Lake City Utah near the community of Layton. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:18 10:47 |
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Location:
Antelope Island |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D5X7364-AntelopeIsland |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Along the Southeastern shoreline of the Salton Sea near the intersection of Lack and Lindsey Roads in Imperial County California. |
Date Taken: 2019:10:11 8:36 |
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Location:
Lack-and-Lindsey-Roads |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D5X0426-LackLindsey |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: At the Kenneth Denman Wildlife Area, Rogue Valley Game Management Area, near Eagle Point, Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2016:05:01 14:06 |
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Location:
Ken Denman Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D729814-TreeSwallow |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: At the Kenneth Denman Wildlife Area, Rogue Valley Game Management Area, near Eagle Point, Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:09 12:56 |
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Location:
Ken Denman Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X9530-TreeSwallow |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: At the Kenneth Denman Wildlife Area, Rogue Valley Game Management Area, near Eagle Point, Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:09 12:56 |
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Location:
Ken Denman Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X9528-TreeSwallow |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: The riparian woods along Link River Trail hosts these nesting swallows, where the Klamath River feeds into Lake Ewauna at Veteran's Park in Klamath Falls Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:05 12:34 |
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Location:
Link River |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X9075-TreeSwallow |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: The riparian woods along Link River Trail hosts these nesting swallows, where the Klamath River feeds into Lake Ewauna at Veteran's Park in Klamath Falls Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:05 12:32 |
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Location:
Link River |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X9061-TreeSwallow |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: The riparian woods along Link River Trail hosts these nesting swallows, where the Klamath River feeds into Lake Ewauna at Veteran's Park in Klamath Falls Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:05 12:23 |
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Location:
Link River |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X8983-TreeSwallow |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Bicknell Bottoms south of Bicknell, Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:08 14:22 |
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Location:
Bicknell Bottoms |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X0216-TreeSwallow |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Bicknell Bottoms south of Bicknell, Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:07 15:58 |
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Location:
Bicknell Bottoms |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X9946-TreeSwallow |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Dairymart Ponds, in the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:05 12:51 |
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Location:
Dairy Mart Ponds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X3519-TreeSwallow |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Dairymart Ponds, in the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:05 12:14 |
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Location:
Dairy Mart Ponds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X3478-TreeSwallow |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Gathering at the crèche bush at the Saltworks. Part of the South San Diego Bay NWR, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:07:27 12:07 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200 |
File Name: JCD1566-TreeSwallow |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: MacIntyre Marsh. Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. |
Date Taken: 2005:06:17 8:47 |
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Location:
MacIntyre Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/200 |
File Name: JCD5120-TreeSwallow |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: At the Kenneth Denman Wildlife Area, Rogue Valley Game Management Area, near Eagle Point, Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2016:04:29 11:57 |
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Location:
Ken Denman Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D729708-KenDenman-Female |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Along the Southeastern shoreline of the Salton Sea near the intersection of Lack and Lindsey Roads in Imperial County California. |
Date Taken: 2019:10:11 8:36 |
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Location:
Lack-and-Lindsey-Roads |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D5X0426-LackLindsey |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Cliff and Barn Swallows(multiple) |
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Description: Bicknell Bottoms south of Bicknell, Utah. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:08 13:59 |
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Location:
Bicknell Bottoms |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X0194-CliffAndTreeSwallows |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Most of the swallows I saw at Lake Kimiwan dashed madly after insects over the marshes. This bird was taking a break from the hard work of gathering groceries. |
Date Taken: 2022:07:05 8:19 |
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Location:
Kimiwan Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8508861-KimiwanLake.AB_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Tree Swallows were nesting at McQueen Slough, which is only a few miles from Dawson Creek in British Columbia. It became a favorite birding location during my stay. |
Date Taken: 2022:07:02 14:48 |
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Location:
McQueen Slough |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8507618-McQueenSlough.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Tree Swallows were nesting at McQueen Slough, which is only a few miles from Dawson Creek in British Columbia. It became a favorite birding location during my stay. |
Date Taken: 2022:07:02 14:48 |
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Location:
McQueen Slough |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8507613-McQueenSlough.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Tree Swallows were nesting at McQueen Slough, which is only a few miles from Dawson Creek in British Columbia. It became a favorite birding location during my stay. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:29 14:36 |
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Location:
McQueen Slough |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8506711-McQueenSlough.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Tree Swallows were nesting at McQueen Slough, which is only a few miles from Dawson Creek in British Columbia. It became a favorite birding location during my stay. |
Date Taken: 2022:06:29 14:36 |
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Location:
McQueen Slough |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8506699-McQueenSlough.BC_ |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Tree Swallows were the first birds I met at Lake Wallowa near Joseph Oregon. They must have recently arrived, as they were in the process of looking for nest holes. |
Date Taken: 2022:04:22 8:05 |
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Location:
Lake Wallowa |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/800 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8503188-WallowaLake |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Tree Swallows were the first birds I met at Lake Wallowa near Joseph Oregon. They must have recently arrived, as they were in the process of looking for nest holes. |
Date Taken: 2022:04:22 8:11 |
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Location:
Lake Wallowa |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/800 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8503221-WallowaLake |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Tree Swallows were the first birds I met at Lake Wallowa near Joseph Oregon. They must have recently arrived, as they were in the process of looking for nest holes. |
Date Taken: 2022:04:22 8:13 |
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Location:
Lake Wallowa |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1000 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8503238-WallowaLake |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Tree Swallows were the first birds I met at Lake Wallowa near Joseph Oregon. They must have recently arrived, as they were in the process of looking for nest holes. |
Date Taken: 2022:04:22 8:15 |
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Location:
Lake Wallowa |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/800 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8503267-WallowaLake |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Tree Swallows were the first birds I met at Lake Wallowa near Joseph Oregon. They must have recently arrived, as they were in the process of looking for nest holes. |
Date Taken: 2022:04:22 8:24 |
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Location:
Lake Wallowa |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/1250 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8503313-WallowaLake |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Tree Swallows were the first birds I met at Lake Wallowa near Joseph Oregon. They must have recently arrived, as they were in the process of looking for nest holes. |
Date Taken: 2022:04:22 8:26 |
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Location:
Lake Wallowa |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/800 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8503336-WallowaLake |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: At the Kenneth Denman Wildlife Area, Rogue Valley Game Management Area, near Eagle Point, Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2016:05:01 14:04 |
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Location:
Ken Denman Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D729808-TreeSwallow |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Newly arrived, for these Tree Swallows it’s never too early to stake a claim on a summer cottage at Bandon Marsh (Oregon). |
Date Taken: 2022:03:27 14:05 |
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Location:
Bandon Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/800 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_8507902-BandonMarsh |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: At the Kenneth Denman Wildlife Area, Rogue Valley Game Management Area, near Eagle Point, Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2016:04:29 11:57 |
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Location:
Ken Denman Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: TreeSwallow_D729705-KenDenman |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: These birds were seen in the vicinity of the eastern shores of the Salton Sea. Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:20 6:40 |
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Location:
Fondo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/18.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: TreeSwallow-_D5X5599 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Dairymart Ponds at The Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:03 11:19 |
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Location:
Dairy Mart Ponds |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000 |
File Name: D3X5722-TreeSwallow |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: This nestbox is occupied. Mission Trails Regional Park, near Santee, California in San Diego County 2009-05-01. |
Date Taken: 2009:05:01 17:00 |
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Location:
Mission Trails Regional Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/160 |
File Name: jcd7142.TreeSwallow |
| © 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Foraging at Lake Crowley. Upper Owens River Valley. Mono County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:05:29 14:35 |
|
Location:
Whitmore Hot Springs |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD9179-TreeSwallow |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor) |
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Description: Foraging at Lake Crowley. Upper Owens River Valley. Mono County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:05:29 14:37 |
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Location:
Whitmore Hot Springs |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: JCD9249-TreeSwallow |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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