Photos and videos

This is the first time I’ve been able to get a photo of a buck at the park! (Karen Wickert, Medicine wheel, 9-12-29)

A Hummingbird was watching me closely. (South Lake 9-16-26 Taylor Lyon)

Great Egret displaced by Great Blue Herons — this lone Egret kept relocating between ponds while larger, territorial Great Blue Herons defended prime shallow‑water feeding areas. Pond C, (09/12/26, Raji Joseph).

“Sunrise view of South Lake (Greg Courtney, 5 September 2026)”

“Sunrise view of South Lake (Greg Courtney, 5 September 2026)”

“Sunrise view of South Lake (Greg Courtney, 5 September 2026)”

Terns have been migrating through the park this week. All were seen over the south lake. Forster's tern (9/17/26) (Tana Tesdall)

Terns have been migrating through the park this week. All were seen over the south lake. Common Tern (9/17/26)(Tana Tesdall)

Terns have been migrating through the park this week. All were seen over the south lake. Caspian Tern (9/13/26), (Tana Tesdall)

This Osprey looks mad, for good reason.  A few minutes before, while flying over Jensen Pond while clutching a fish in its talons, an adult Bald Eagle was in pursuit.  The eagle dove at the Osprey, which caused it to drop the fish.  The fish appeared to land on Ada Hayden Rd.  The eagle dropped down and was then seen flying off with the prized fish.

Wolf. Oesterreich (09/14/26)

A cluster of sawtooth sunflowers in the early morning sunshine (Karen Wickert, Stone Brooke spur, 9-11-26)

Cedar Waxwing — this bird is one of a mixed flock of about 20 adults and juveniles and is about to gulp down a honeysuckle berry. Cedar Waxwings do not completely migrate away from Iowa for the winter. Instead of relying on temperature or day length, Waxwing movements in the winter depend heavily on local berry crops. “The Bluff”, (09/19/26, Raji Joseph).

A Bald Eagle sat near the top of a Cottonwood tree. Shortly after it left, a Great Blue Heron flew in to claim a spot near the top of the same tree. (Tana Tesdall, 9/17/26).

A Bald Eagle sat near the top of a Cottonwood tree. Shortly after it left, a Great Blue Heron flew in to claim a spot near the top of the same tree. (Tana Tesdall, 9/17/26).

"Yum! That earthworm is going down smoothly." said the American Toad.

Wolf. Oesterreich (09/18/26)

A Great Crested Flycatcher taking a breather between aerial hunts. These birds will migrate south to wintering grounds in southern Florida, southern Mexico, Central America, and northwestern South America soon. “The Bluff”, (09/10/26, Raji Joseph).

A Broad-winged Hawk perches above a trail.  These hawks are on the move southward.  Look up and you may see them in flight.

Wolf. Oesterreich (09/17/26)

A groundhog sits on the side of a hill in the park (Tana Tesdall, 9/16/26)

Female Belted Kingfisher at Pond J taking a break from fishing. The brown belly band distinguishes females from males. (09/06/26, Raji Joseph).

Cooper’s Hawk perched in a snag at Jensen Pond (Greg Courtney, 5 September 2026).

A flock of American White Pelicans flies over before landing on the lake to spend the night (Tana Tesdall, 9/13/26)

Another flock of over sixty migrating American White Pelicans arrived at Ada Hayden last week. For migration, they rely heavily on thermals—columns of rising warm air—to soar in large, V-shaped formations with minimal wing motion. South Lake, (09/15/26, Raji Joseph).