Photos and videos

New England Aster (Karen Wickert, near the Hyde Ave parking lot, 9-7-26)

A wasp feeds on a white aster (Karen Wickert, Hairy White Oldfield Aster, Upland Trail near Hyde Ave parking lot, 9-7-26)

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are getting ready for their fall migration. One of their favorite late summer flowers is Jewelweed, as shown in these photos. There is a lot of jewelweed between the path and the lake on the south end of the south lake, and if you look closely, you are likely to see several hummingbirds in that area. (Tana Tesdall, 9/12/26)

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are getting ready for their fall migration. One of their favorite late summer flowers is Jewelweed, as shown in these photos. There is a lot of jewelweed between the path and the lake on the south end of the south lake, and if you look closely, you are likely to see several hummingbirds in that area. (Tana Tesdall, 9/12/26)

A White-tailed Deer cools off in a pond, while looking for leaves to feed on.

Wolf. Oesterreich (09/05/26)

Group of female / immature Wood Ducks perched on a log at Pond J (Greg Courtney, 5 September 2026).

A juvenile Double‑crested Cormorant joined the pelican flock for a brief while on the South lake last week. Juveniles have paler, browner plumage compared with the glossy black of adults. (09/05/26, Raji Joseph).

A juvenile Double‑crested Cormorant joined the pelican flock for a brief while on the South lake last week. Juveniles have paler, browner plumage compared with the glossy black of adults. (09/05/26, Raji Joseph).

Today’s sunrise was a combination of still water, cotton candy sky, and just a hint of mist (Karen Wickert, West Bay, September 10, 2026)

A Great Egret flies by and later lands at the edge of a wetland pond (Tana Tesdall, 9/11/26)

A Great Egret flies by and later lands at the edge of a wetland pond (Tana Tesdall, 9/11/26)

An early morning fisherman on the south lake, just before sunrise.

Wolf. Oesterreich (09/11/26)

Fall migration is underway, which means several species of warbler are passing through central Iowa. Although not as colorful as during the spring migration, they are still a treat to see. Among them are females (or immatures) of Chestnut-sided Warbler (left image), American Redstart (top right) and Magnolia Warbler (bottom right). All of these images were captured at the Bluff (Greg Courtney, 5 September 2026).

Juvenile Red‑winged Blackbird — spotlit by sunrise over a misty North lake. Although Red‑winged Blackbirds breed here, they’re scarce right now; this young bird is likely a late brood member finishing development and will head south for winter soon. (08/23/26, Raji Joseph).

Sunflowers and goldenrod have turned the prairie into a sea of yellow (Karen Wickert, Upland Trail near the Medicine Wheel, 9-7-26)

A Monarch feeds on some asters near the south lake (Tana Tesdall, 9/10/26)

An immature Cedar Waxwing, one of 31 adults and immatures that were perched in this tree.

Wolf. Oesterreich (09/11/26)

American White Pelicans photographed at sunrise, just as sunlight was starting to reach South Lake (Greg Courtney, 5 September 2026).

These ten American White Pelicans were among the 60+ on South Lake (Greg Courtney, 5 September 2026).

Fawn convoy — two White‑tailed fawns shadowing Mom as they learn feeding routes and safety cues; fawns lose their spots after a few months and begin independent foraging. Gravel trail on “The Bluff”, (08/23/26, Raji Joseph).

A Great Blue Heron is backlit by the sun, then later is seen in silhouette as the sun dips below the horizon (Tana Tesdall, 9/11/26)

A Great Blue Heron is backlit by the sun, then later is seen in silhouette as the sun dips below the horizon (Tana Tesdall, 9/11/26)

Two Garden Orbweavers catching the morning sunlight near The Bluff (Greg Courtney, 5 September 2026).

A male Goldfinch feeding on Thistle. When the food is that good, you don't stop for cleaning up, you just dive in headfirst and wear the mess like a badge of honor! (08/26/26, Raji Joseph).

American Toad on the boat ramp at the west bay of South Lake (Greg Courtney, 5 September 2026).

A young Eastern Wood Peewee sings in the meadow (Tana Tesdall, 9/5/26)