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Winter brings increased clouds to the valley and cold nighttime temperatures, causing soft-stem bulrush to senescence, which turns it a soft golden brown. |
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Discharge from the plant creates a seven mile riparian corridor downstream 91st Avenue, helping to recharge the Salt River. |
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Sunrise spurs a flurry of wildlife activity, providing a great opportunity for bird watching or other wildlife viewing. |
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As dusk settles at Tres Rios, the atmosphere becomes very peaceful and tranquil. |
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The combination of the birds, an airplane's contrail, and an Arizona sunset brings a dramatic view to the Tres Rios wetland area. |
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There are times when there are so many birds flying at the wetlands, it almost blacks out the sky. |
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An American Bittern ready for flight. |
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A mated pair of Blue Herons. Photo Credit: Mike Rupp. |
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An egret flying into the cobble site just as a thunderstom was blowing in. Photo Credit: John Hardison. |
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A Yellow-headed blackbird perched among the bulrush. |
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A box turtle. |
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Nesting Blue Herons. Credit: Kate O'Hara |
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Nesting Blue Herons. Credit: Kate O'Hara |
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Nesting Blue Herons. Credit: Kate O'Hara |
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Nesting Blue Herons. Credit: Kate O'Hara |
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Snowy Egret: Taken after release to the wild on Sept. 19, 2007. Credit: George Wall |
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A Bobcat makes his way along the fenceline at the Hayfield site (1 of 2) Photo Credit: Mike Eppard |
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A Bobcat makes his way along the fenceline at the Hayfield site (2 of 2) Photo Credit: Mike Eppard |
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This spooked lizard looks curiously over its shoulder. |
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Soft-stem bulrush is one of three species of bulrush growing in the wetlands. It grows in the emergent areas and is prime nesting grounds for several bird species, including the Yellow-headed Blackbird. |
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Pennywort and duckweed are two types of floating aquatic plants found at Tres Rios. Both species flourish in open-water areas and float on the surface of the water. Pennywort is actually rooted to the wetland banks, while duckweed is not. |
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Green taro also seems to flourish throughout the shaded riparian area. |
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Tres Rios Levee construction begins. Photo Credit: David Pham, USACE. |
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Corps of Engineers fills baskets used for levee. Photo Credit: David Pham, USACE. |
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Empty Gabion Baskets waiting to be filled. Photo Credit: David Pham, USACE. |