Between June and December in 2008, I visited Goodan Ranch eleven times. I’ve not been back since. I’m not sure why. Perhaps I overdid it that year. For the time being it’s still an oasis of wildness surrounded by profiteers lusting for the chance to scrape clean the hillsides of the chaparral and the valleys of grass and trees and replace them with pavement and crappy boxes with manicured yards. It’s a shame such ambitions exist, ignoring the damage it causes the environment. Some might consider me a cynic or a pessimist, but I’ve seen the pattern repeated since my childhood more times than I care to count.
I would encourage folks to visit this 2200+ acre preserve and enjoy it for what it represents; a hint of what this part of the planet used to be. From the valley floor you can’t see the encroaching “civilization”. There is a peaceful tranquility available here if you look for it.
There are a variety of trails through the preserve that transport the interested explorer through the various habitats. A few of these trails require a modicum of effort to ascend, but many follow less challenging routes.
The gallery below will show you some of the possible meetings available here.
Lesser Goldfinch(Spinus psaltria) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-06-14. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:14 11:20 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1500 |
File Name: JCD6941LesserGoldFinch |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Bullock's Oriole(Icterus bullockii) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-06-14. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:14 11:20 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD6945BullocksOriole |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lark Sparrow(Chondestes grammacus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-06-14. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:14 11:42 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD6962LarkSparrow |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Breasted Chat(Icteria virens) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-06-21. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:21 9:13 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD7075YellowBreastedChat |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-06-21. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:21 9:35 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/180 |
File Name: JCD7105NorthernFlicker |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
California Thrasher(Toxostoma redivivum) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-06-30. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:30 15:04 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 |
File Name: JCD7753CaliforniaThrasher |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Hutton's Vireo(Vireo huttoni) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-06-30. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:30 17:09 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD7777HuttonsVireo |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Hutton's Vireo(Vireo huttoni) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-06-30. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:30 17:16 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD7793HuttonsVireo |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Acorn Woodpecker(Melanerpes formicivorus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-06-30. |
Date Taken: 2008:06:30 17:21 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD7806AcornWoodPecker |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Rock Wren(Salpinctes obsoletus) |
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Description: Juvenile bird at Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:12 12:58 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 |
File Name: jcd8059RockWren |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:12 14:48 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: jcd8124BlueGrayGnatCatcher |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:12 14:49 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: jcd8138BlueGrayGnatCatcher |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Acorn Woodpecker(Melanerpes formicivorus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:12 15:00 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: jcd8148AcornWoodPecker |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos) |
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Description: Juvenile bird at Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:12 15:57 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 |
File Name: jcd8162NorthernMockingbird-Juvenile |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Rock Wren(Salpinctes obsoletus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-17. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:17 17:10 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: jcd8356RockWren |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Rock Wren(Salpinctes obsoletus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-17. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:17 17:12 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: jcd8368RockWren |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Hooded Oriole(Icterus cucullatus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-22. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:22 10:07 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/350 |
File Name: jcd8723HoodedOriole |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Rufous-Crowned Sparrow(Aimophila ruficeps) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-22. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:22 10:21 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/160 |
File Name: jcd8758RufousCrownedSparrow |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Acorn Woodpecker(Melanerpes formicivorus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-22. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:22 15:01 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/200 |
File Name: jcd8882AcornWoodPecker |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ash-Throated Flycatcher(Myiarchus cinerascens) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-22. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:22 15:09 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/100 |
File Name: jcd8924AshThroatedFlyCatcher |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Kingbird(Tyrannus verticalis) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-22. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:22 17:27 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 |
File Name: jcd9041WesternKingBird |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
California Towhee(Melozone crissalis) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-29. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:29 16:08 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 |
File Name: jcd9226CaliforniaTowhee |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
California Scrub-Jay(Aphelocoma californica) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-29. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:29 16:22 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: jcd9256WesternScrubJay |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-29. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:29 16:36 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: jcd9260WesternBlueBird |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red Diamond Rattlesnake(Crotalus ruber) |
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Description: When looking for birds at the Goodan Ranch, one needs to be aware of other members of the habitat. Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-29. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:29 16:49 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 |
File Name: jcd9291RedDiamondBack |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Red Diamond Rattlesnake(Crotalus ruber) |
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Description: When looking for birds at the Goodan Ranch, one needs to be aware of other members of the habitat. Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-29. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:29 16:52 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: jcd9337RedDiamondBack |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Phoebe(Sayornis nigricans) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-07-29. |
Date Taken: 2008:07:29 17:04 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: jcd9340BlackPhoebe |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Spotted Towhee(Pipilo maculatus) |
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Description: (Pipilo maculatus) This bird was found at Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County USA 2008-09-07. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:07 15:22 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/500 |
File Name: jcd9988SpottedTowhee |
| © 2009 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
California Towhee(Melozone crissalis) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-09-08. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:08 14:53 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: jcd0054CaliforniaTowhee |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Headed Grosbeak(Pheucticus melanocephalus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-09-08. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:08 15:00 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: jcd0056BlackHeadedGrosBeak |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-09-08. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:08 15:28 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: jcd0080NorthernFlicker |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lark Sparrow(Chondestes grammacus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-09-08. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:08 16:00 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: jcd0205LarkSparrow |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Phoebe(Sayornis nigricans) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-09-08. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:08 17:02 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/90 |
File Name: jcd0251BlackPhoebe |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-09-08. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:08 17:22 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 |
File Name: jcd0268WesternBlueBird |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black-Chinned Hummingbird(Archilochus alexandri) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County 2008-09-08. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:08 17:26 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 |
File Name: jcd0272BlackChinnedHummingbird |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Lark Sparrow(Chondestes grammacus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:30 16:45 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 |
File Name: jcd1642LarkSparrow |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata auduboni) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:30 16:53 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: jcd1651YellowRumpedWarbler |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Yellow-Rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata auduboni) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:30 16:56 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 |
File Name: jcd1655YellowRumpedWarbler |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
California Towhee(Melozone crissalis) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:30 17:08 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 |
File Name: jcd1659CaliforniaTowhee |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
White-Crowned Sparrow(Zonotrichia leucophrys) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:30 17:12 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 |
File Name: jcd1662WhiteCrownedSparrow |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus) |
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Description: Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:30 17:27 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 |
File Name: jcd1676HermitThrush |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus) |
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Description: This bird was foraging in a watering basin of a tree at Goodan Ranch, Sycamore Canyon. Poway, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2008:09:30 17:42 |
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Location:
Gooden Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 |
File Name: jcd1702HermitThrush |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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