Photos and videos

Thanks to Dr. Timothy Stewart, and to those who attended our program last Wednesday evening. As usual, the wetland biodiversity event was fantastic!

Thanks to Dr. Timothy Stewart, and to those who attended our program last Wednesday evening. As usual, the wetland biodiversity event was fantastic!

Thanks to Dr. Timothy Stewart, and to those who attended our program last Wednesday evening. As usual, the wetland biodiversity event was fantastic!

Thanks to Dr. Timothy Stewart, and to those who attended our program last Wednesday evening. As usual, the wetland biodiversity event was fantastic!

This male Eastern Bluebird is half of a pair that appear to be on their second brood in a run-down Tree Swallow nesting box.

Wolf. Oesterreich

Eastern Amberwings are small dragonflies, and can currently be seen in many of the wetland ponds. (Tana Tesdall, 6/29/25)

Eastern Amberwings are small dragonflies, and can currently be seen in many of the wetland ponds. (Tana Tesdall, 6/29/25)

A Black Swallowtail feasts on milkweed near the Harrison Rd parking lot (Karen Wickert, 7-3-25)

A Black Swallowtail feasts on milkweed near the Harrison Rd parking lot (Karen Wickert, 7-3-25)

An adult Green Heron hides out in the wetland vegetation.

Wolf. Oesterreich

A Great Egret flies in the golden hour sun, then perches on top of a tree at the edge of pond F (Tana Tesdall, 7/3/25)

A Great Egret flies in the golden hour sun, then perches on top of a tree at the edge of pond F (Tana Tesdall, 7/3/25)

White-tailed Deer hiding in the willows along North Lake. Note that the deer is also providing a good source of food for some hungry female mosquitoes (see below its left eye and ear) as well as a tick (see top of its left ear). (Greg Courtney, 8 June 2025).

While standing on a small stick, this Great Blue Heron scans the water for prey.

Wolf. Oesterreich

A trio of Western Painted Turtles basking on a log in Pond P (Greg Courtney, 8 June 2025).

This male Twelve-spotted Skimmer is perched on a twig at Jensen Pond.  The name comes from the 12 black spots.

Wolf. Oesterreich

Dickcissel have returned to the park in reasonable numbers. They are often seen (or heard!) along the Upland Trail (Greg Courtney, 8 June 2025).

Northern Rough-wing swallow fledglings. If you look carefully, a parent is at the top right in this photo. That's why they all look like they're saying "Pick Me!" (Tana Tesdall, 7/3/25)

In this photo, you can see which youngster was the lucky one! (Tana Tesdall, 7/3/25)

Widow Skimmers are a common species at the Park's wetlands.  This is a male.  The female lacks the white wing patches and has a yellow and black abdomen.

Wolf. Oesterreich

Tree Swallow perched near one of the nest boxes along the Upland Trail (Greg Courtney, 8 June 2025).

A Blue-Fronted Dancer damselfly poses on a stone in one of the wetland ponds. (Tana Tesdall, 6/29/25)

Clusters of Black-eyed Susan and Yellow Coneflowers are blooming throughout the prairie. (Karen Wickert, Upland trail near Hyde Ave parking lot, 7-1-25)

Clusters of Black-eyed Susan and Yellow Coneflowers are blooming throughout the prairie. (Karen Wickert, Upland trail near Hyde Ave parking lot, 7-1-25)

A pair of Sandhill Cranes flew over the park. They appear to have kept on going, as they were not seen in the park after their flyover. (Tana Tesdall, 7/7/25)

Eastern Kingbird looking for insects along the Upland Trail (Greg Courtney, 8 June 2025).

A Belted Kingfisher shakes off the water from it's latest dive, as it flies off with a small fish dinner (Tana Tesdall, 7/7/25)