Photos and videos

Meet Riley Houston, our Ada Hayden Summer Naturalist. Make sure to say hi to him if you see him at the park. He has a lot of information he can share with you about the park and about his interests in animal ecology and plants. 

One of a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers observed near the Pool F outlet. (Paul Domoto, 7/7/25)

The early morning thunderstorm had passed, leaving behind these clouds.  Looking northward across the south lake and towards the bluff area.

Wolf. Oesterreich (07/11/25)

White-tailed does in the wildflowers. (Linda Wendt, 7/9/25)

White-tailed does in the wildflowers. (Linda Wendt, 7/9/25)

White-tailed does in the wildflowers. (Linda Wendt, 7/9/25)

Rattlesnake Master (yes, real name) growing along the Upland Trail. (Karen Wickert, 7-10-25)

Juvenile Western Painted Turtle at Jensen Pond. Note that this youngster is not only in the process of molting (see plates being shed on top and around margins of carapace) but has an injury on the front of its carapace. This injury is likely the result of attack by an otter, raccoon, great blue heron or some other predator (Greg Courtney, 9 July 2025).

Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) is native to Asia and was brought to North America by early European immigrants. In Iowa, it is common along roadsides. There are a few scattered around Ada Hayden Heritage Park. (Paul Domoto, 7/11/25)

This Orange Sulphur is on a sunflower.

Wolf. Oesterreich (07/09/25)

Photos from after the rain tonight (Linda Wendt, 7/11/25)

Photos from after the rain tonight (Linda Wendt, 7/11/25)

Photos from after the rain tonight (Linda Wendt, 7/11/25)

Photos from after the rain tonight (Linda Wendt, 7/11/25)

Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak along the Upland Trail (Greg Courtney, 6 July 2025).

Sunset last Wednesday (Art Barton, 7/9/25)

Gray Catbird with some breakfast (caterpillar) on the trail near Calhoun Park (Greg Courtney, 9 July 2025).

Cabbage Whites were "accidentally" introduced to North America.  Their caterpillars are pests to crucifer plants (kale, bok choy, broccoli, & cabbage).  This one is obtaining moisture from the ground.

Wolf. Oesterreich (07/09/25)

You cant see me (Linda Wendt, 7/11/25)

Great Blue Heron on a warm morning at Pond J. This individual is trying to dissipate body heat by spreading its wings and panting. (Greg Courtney, 9 July 2025).

Bumblebee foraging on common milkweed flowers near the North Shelter (Greg Courtney, 9 July 2025).

“Yellow morph” of a male House Finch, a condition usually caused by a shortage of carotenoids in the diet. This individual was along the Upland Trail (Greg Courtney, 6 July 2025).

Two fishermen head eastward through the fog on the south lake.

Wolf. Oesterreich