Photos and videos

This White-tailed Deer near Pond F may have surprised me more than I surprised it. The doe seemed unconcerned by my presence, even though it was so close I had to back up several feet to capture even a head shot (Greg Courtney, 6 November 2025).

Flocks of Cedar Waxwings have been sighted at several locations within the Park. Wolf. Oesterreich (11/05/25)

The sky was so pretty on Saturday morning.  Taken in Amphitheater Woods near the Medicine Wheel. (Tana Tesdall, 11/15/25)

A Barred Owl returned to a patch of woods along the Upland Trail.

Wolf. Oesterreich (11/09/25)

Morning and evening pics (Robin Sinn, 11/16/25)

Morning and evening pics (Robin Sinn, 11/16/25)

A few individuals of both kinglet species (Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned) are still in the park. This Ruby-crowned Kinglet was one of at least two in the trees between South Lake and Pond N (Greg Courtney, 2 November 2025).

A pair of common loons made a stop at the lake on their journey to a warmer climate for the winter. They are in their non-breeding plumage, so don't look as flashy as they will when they pass through again in the spring (Tana Tesdall, 11/13/25)

Sumac berries add color to the north hillside. The second photo is a closeup of a cluster of berries, also know as drupes. (Karen Wickert, 11-14-25, Upland Trail)

Sumac berries add color to the north hillside. The second photo is a closeup of a cluster of berries, also know as drupes. (Karen Wickert, 11-14-25, Upland Trail)

The white adult Ross's Goose is much smaller than the accompanying Canada Goose.

Wolf. Oesterreich (11/09/25)

This mink takes a look at its reflection

in the pond. Or is it just looking for a fish? (Teresa Testroet, 11/10/25)

This brightly colored male Northern Cardinal was busy foraging on seeds along South Lake… and seemingly unconcerned by my close presence while capturing photographs (Greg Courtney, 2 November 2025).

This male Eastern Bluebird has a metal band on his right leg.

Wolf. Oesterreich (11/12/25)

A pair of American White Pelicans, part of a group of 67, flies into the park. (Tana Tesdall, 11/10/25)

American Tree Sparrows have returned to the park in large numbers and will remain here through the winter. These individuals were among several in the vegetation along Pond P (Greg Courtney, 12 November 2025).

Tuesday night was one of the most incredible Northern Lights displays I've ever seen. This photo is looking across the south lake (Tana Tesdall, 11/11/25)

Yellow-rumped Warblers are usually the last or one of the last warblers to migrate southward through our area.  However, individuals have been sighted on Christmas Bird Counts in Iowa.  This is a probable first Fall female.

Wolf. Oesterreich (11/12/25)

Deer drama on the prairie. As I was walking down the upland trail, I noticed several does being approached by a buck. Then another buck showed up. As you can tell in the first photo, the does were not happy about this. About a minute later, the bucks decided to just leave the does alone and hang out together. (Tana Tesdall, 11/11/25)

Deer drama on the prairie. As I was walking down the upland trail, I noticed several does being approached by a buck. Then another buck showed up. As you can tell in the first photo, the does were not happy about this. About a minute later, the bucks decided to just leave the does alone and hang out together. (Tana Tesdall, 11/11/25)

Ring-billed Gull flying over South Lake (Greg Courtney, 2 November 2025).

A female Belted Kingfisher patiently waits for a fish to swim by. Wolf. Oesterreich (11/06/25)

Killdeer in the early morning light at Pond J (Greg Courtney, 6 November 2025).

South Lake at sunrise (Greg Courtney, 2 November 2025).