July 31, 2012: July Photo Collage

July photos from the blog by Kevin Kane, Erv Klaas, and Wolf Oesterreich.

July 30, 2012: Photo of the Day: Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow perches on a nesting box in the northwest corner of the park, 6/14/12 (Kevin Kane)


Learn more about Tree Swallows

July 29, 2012: Photo of the Day: Boating at Sunset

Rowing south on the north lake at sunset, 6/7/12 (Kevin Kane)

July 28, 2012: Photo of the Day: Parkscape

View of park from SW corner looking over the fence to the bridge and fishing pier, 7/29/2012 (Kevin Kane)

July 27, 2012: Recharging Ames' Groundwater Aquifer

Pump in place near the lake outlet structure in the southeast corner of the park, 7/29/12 (Kevin Kane)

On Friday, Ames officials announced that they would begin pumping water from the lake in Ada Hayden Heritage Park into the Skunk River to recharge the city's groundwater aquifer.  The prospect of this kind of drought was of primary importance for the acquisition of the old quarry for a backup water supply for the city.  This is the first time since the acquisition of the quarry for the park that pumping has been needed to supply water for aquifer recharging.

See the video from KCCI TV here.

July 26, 2012: Photo of the Day: Compass Plant

 More Compass Plant which has been so abundant in the park this summer, southern prairie area, 7/12/12 (Kevin Kane)

July 25, 2012: Photo of the Day: Sunset over the Bridge

Sunset over the bridge taken from the kayak on the south lake looking northwest, 7/22/12 (Kevin Kane)

July 24, 2012: Photo of the Day: Dog Fun

A unique way to cool off the dogs on a warm summer night, north lake looking south, 7/22/12 (Kevin Kane)

July 23, 2012: Photo of the Day: Sunset

Sunset from the kayak, north lake looking west, 7/22/12 (Kevin Kane)

July 22, 2012: Photo of the Day: Barn Swallows

Barn Swallows, 7/19/12 (Wolf Oesterreich)

Just west of the bridge, on a dead limb overhanging the south lake's north shore, sat three young Barn Swallows. An adult would fly in, hover and feed one of them. (The third one was to the left of the two that are visible, just out of the photograph.) 19 July

Wolf

July 21, 2012: Photo of the Day: Prairie over the Lake

Birds perch in the Compass Plant west of the south lake, 7/12/12 (Kevin Kane)

July 20, 2012: Photo of the Day: Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) takes off from perch in southwest prairie, 7/12/12 (Kevin Kane)

Learn more about the Red-winged Blackbird

July 19, 2012: Photo of the Day: Hoary Vervain

Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta) located in the southwest prairie near the parking area, 7/12/12 (Kevin Kane)


Learn more about Hoary Vervain

July 18, 2012: Photo of the Day: Pale Purple Coneflower

Pale Purple Coneflower on the southern priarie, 6/7/12 (Kevin Kane)

Learn more about Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida)

July 17, 2012: Photo of the Day: Bee Balm

Bee Balm in the southern prairie near the southwest parking area taken during the AHHP prairie flower interpretive walk, 7/12/12 (Kevin Kane)

Learn more about Bee Balm

July 16, 2012: Photo of the Day: Cup Plant

Cup Plant on the southern prairie taken during the interpretive prairie flower walk, 7/12/12 (Kevin Kane)

Learn more about Cup Plant

July 15, 2012: Photo of the Day: Ironweed

Ironweed on the souther prairie taken during the interpretive prairie walk, 7/12/12 (Kevin Kane)

Learn more about Ironweed

July 14, 2012: Photo of the Day: Great Black Wasp

Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus) on the flower of a Rattlesnake Master during the praire flower interpretive walk, 7/12/12 (Kevin Kane)

Learn more about the Great Black Wasp

July 13, 2012: Photo of the Day: Purple Prairie Clover

Purple Prairie Clover taken during AHHP prairie flower interpretive walk, 7/12/12 (Kevin Kane)

Learn more about Purple Prairie Clover

July 12, 2012: Prairie Flower Interpretive Program

Deb Lewis shows the group the flower of the Rattlesnake Master in the southwest prairie area, 7/12/12 (Kevin Kane)

A group of about 15 people joined Deb Lewis and Erv Klaas for a walk along the southwest prairie area Thursday evening to look at the prairie flowers of AHHP.  Discussions on how to identify flowers, where names came from, and how the flowers were established in the park were all topics covered during the 90 minute walk.

July 11, 2012: Photo of the Day: Black-Eyed Susan

Reminder!

Interpretive program on prairie flowers

Thursday, July 12, 5:30,

meet at the Harrison Ave parking lot
 (SW corner of park)

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) in southern prairie area, 6/7/12 (Kevin Kane)

Learn more about Black-Eyed Susans

July 10, 2012: Interpretive Program on Prairie Flowers on 7/12

Deb Lewis, Curator of the Ada Hayden Herbarium at ISU, will lead an interpretive program on prairie flowers, Thursday, July 12 at 5:30 pm. Meet at the parking lot on Harrison Ave., southwest corner of the park.

This will be the last program until fall.

Erv Klaas


Did you know Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) is part of the Carrot family? This plant was in the southwest prarie area, 6/25/12 (Kevin Kane)


Learn more about Rattlesnake Master.

July 9, 2012: Photo of the Day: Compass Plant

Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) growing in the southwest prairie area, 6/25/12 (Kevin Kane)

Learn more about compass plant

July 8, 2012: Photo of the Day: Grey-headed Coneflower

Grey-headed coneflowers are popping up all over the park.  This one is in the north prairie, 6/28/12 (Kevin Kane)

July 7, 2012: Wolf's Notes: June Species List

Young fledgling on the side of the upland path, 6/14/12 (Kevin Kane)

Below is my June 2012 report for Ada Hayden Heritage Park. A total of 69 (plus 1 sp.) avian species was recorded this month. This total is 63 species less than last month and 13 less than June 2011.

Listed below, following the species’ names, are the date(s) of sighting(s), plus the occasional miscellaneous information regarding numbers, gender (♂=male, ♀=female), age (im=immature, ju=juvenile, abp=adult breeding plumage, ad=adult, anb=adult non-breeding), color phase (b=blue, w=white), and location (BY=back yard). The order follows the 52nd Supplement (2011) to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds and the 11th Supplement to the 7th Edition (1998).

AVIAN
CANADA GOOSE: 1-17, 19, 21-22, 24, 27-30
WOOD DUCK: 1-2, 4, 6, 11 (1♀), 12 (2♀), 14, 16, 17 (1♀), 19-24, 29 (1♀)
MALLARD: 1-21, 23-29
BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 1-2, 3 (5♂ + 3♀), 4 (2♂ + 2♀), 12 (1♂ + 1♀), 19-20 (10 ducklings),
21 (1♀ w/10 ducklings), 25 (1♀ w/8 ducklings), 26 (1♀)
RUDDY DUCK: 4 (1♀)
RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 1-2, 3 (1♂ BY +), 4-18, 20-25, 28-30
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 18 (1)
GREAT BLUE HERON: 2 (4), 3 (8), 4 (13), 5 (9), 6 (6), 7 (12), 8 (11), 9 (9), 10 (7), 11 (2), 12 (7),
13 (4), 14 (2), 15 (11), 17 (3), 18 (1), 19 (2), 20-21 (1), 22-23 (3), 24-25 (2),
26 (6), 27 (2), 28-29 (1), 30 (3)
TURKEY VULTURE: 1, 3, 7, 8 (8+), 9-10, 11 (8+), 14-15, 17 (7+), 18-19, 21, 24-26, 28
OSPREY: 3 (1), 16 (1)
COOPER’S HAWK: 4 (1)
RED-TAILED HAWK: 1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (1), 4 (2), 5 (1), 6 (2), 7-9 (1), 11-12 (1), 13 (2), 17 (2), 18 (1),
20-21 (1), 29 (1)
AMERICAN COOT: 1-3 (4), 4-6 (5), 7 (3), 8 (1), 9 (2), 10-12 (1), 18 (1)
KILLDEER: 1-30
SPOTTED SANDPIPER: 1 (2), 3-4 (2), 8 (2), 9-10 (1), 12 (3), 13 (1), 21 (1), 23 (1), 26 (1), 30 (1)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS: 6 (1)
MOURNING DOVE: 1-30
CHIMNEY SWIFT: 6 (2), 10, 17, 19-20, 23, 27
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: 6 (1), 8 (1♀), 17 (1♀), 21, 29
BELTED KINGFISHER: 7 (1), 9 (1), 12 (3♂), 13 (1), 17 (1), 18, 21, 28
DOWNY WOODPECKER: 1-8, 10-11, 13-14, 17, 22-24, 27-28
HAIRY WOODPECKER: 1, 8, 21, 24, 26
NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 1 (2), 2, 4-5, 21 (1), 24-25, 28
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE: 1-3, 6-7, 17, 22 (1), 25 (1)
ALDER FLYCATCHER: 16-17 (1)
Empidonax sp.: 1 (2)
EASTERN PHOEBE: 1 (1), 9 (1), 17 (2), 20-21 (1), 28 (1), 30 (1)
EASTERN KINGBIRD: 1 (3), 2, 4 (3), 7, 8 (1), 12 (3), 13 (2), 14 (1), 17 (2), 18-21 (1), 22 (2), 24 (1),
25 (2), 26-30
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO: 4 (1)
RED-EYED VIREO: 3 (1)
WARBLING VIREO: 1-28, 30
BLUE JAY: 2, 4, 6, 14, 16-17, 22-23, 25, 29
AMERICAN CROW: 1-24, 26-30
PURPLE MARTIN: 1-30
TREE SWALLOW: 1-27, 29-30
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW: 1, 4-5, 15, 18, 21-23
BANK SWALLOW: 16-17
CLIFF SWALLOW: 8 (2)
BARN SWALLOW: 1-30
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1-26, 28
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 3, 5-6, 9-10, 12, 15-17, 20, 22-25, 27, 29
HOUSE WREN: 1-30
MARSH WREN: 2-4 (1), 6 (1), 8 (1)
EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 1-2 (2), 5 (4), 10 (1♂ + 1♀), 11-13 (2), 15 (1), 16-17 (2), 18 (1), 19 (2), 20,
21 (4), 22 (1), 23, 25 (2), 28, 30
AMERICAN ROBIN: 1-30
GREAY CATBIRD: 1-26, 28-30
BROWN THRASHER: 1-17, 19-22, 24-29
EUROPEAN STARLING: 1-6, 8, 10-17, 19-20, 23-24, 26-27, 29-30
CEDAR WAXWING: 1-5, 9-10, 12, 16, 20 (5), 21 (1), 22 (5), 29 (2)
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 1-30
AMERICAN REDSTART: 1-3 (1♀), 5-7 (1♀), 9-11 (1♀), 16 (1♀)
YELLOW WARBLER: 1 (2♂), 2-3, 16 (1)
WILSON’S WARBLER: 1 (1♂)
CHIPPING SPARROW: 1-7, 9-13, 15-19, 21-22, 26-29
FIELD SPARROW: 11 (1), 16 (1), 18 (1)
SONG SPARROW: 1-30
NORTHERN CARDINAL: 1-30
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: 1 (1♂)
INDIGO BUNTING: 1, 3-4, 6-13, 15, 17-28, 30
DICKCISSEL: 1-30
BOBOLINK: 1 (1♂), 3 (1♂ + 1♀), 4 (2♂ + 1♀), 5 (1♂), 21 (1♂)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 1-30
EASTERN MEADOWLARK: 1-6, 8, 10, 15-16, 20-21, 27-28
COMMON GRACKLE: 1-30
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: 1-29
ORCHARD ORIOLE: 1, 6, 7 (1♂), 10-11 (1♂), 14-16, 18, 21, 24 (1♂), 26 (1♂)
BALTIMORE ORIOLE: 1-17, 19-29
HOUSE FINCH: 1-30
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1-30
HOUSE SPARROW: 1, 3-30

MAMMALIAN
COYOTE: 1 (1), 2 (howling)
AMERICAN MINK: 22 (5)
NORTH AMERICAN BADGER: 6 (1)
WHITE-TAILED DEER: 1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (1 fawn), 4 (1), 5 (1♀ w/1 fawn), 7-8 (1), 10 (1), 12 (1),
14 (2), 16 (1), 17 (3), 18 (2), 19 (1), 21 (3), 22 (1 + 1♀ w/2 fawns), 23 (2),
24 (1), 27 (1), 28 (1♀ w/2 fawns)
WOODCHUCK: 6 (1), 9 (1)
FOX SQUIRREL: 3, 9, 13, 16, 24, 27
THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL: 3-5, 7, 9-10, 12-16, 18, 20-22, 24-30
EASTERN CHIPMUNK: 1-3, 6-7, 11, 15, 17-18, 20-21, 23, 26, 29
EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 1-30

REPTILIAN
NORTHERN PAINTED TURTLE: 1-30
RED-EARED SLIDER: 1-2 (1), 13 (1), 22 (1), 25 (1), 27 (1)

AMPHIBIAN
AMERICAN TOAD: 1, 5, 10, 16, 23-24, 26
BLANCHARD’S CRICKET FROG: 1-13, 15, 17-18, 20-27, 29
EASTERN GRAY TREE FROG: 15-19, 23
BULLFROG: 1-30

LEPIDOPTERA
BLACK SWALLOWTAIL: 4, 9-10, 26
EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL: 24-25
CABBAGE WHITE: 1-14, 16, 19-22, 24-30
ORANGE SULPHUR: 1-17, 19-22, 24-30
LITTLE YELLOW: 10, 12
DAINTY SULPHUR: 2-3
EASTERN TAILED-BLUE: 1, 12, 21-22, 24-30
SUMMER AZURE: 2-5, 9
AMERICAN SNOUT: 12 (1), 24 (1), 28 (1)
GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY: 1, 11-12, 14, 16-17, 20
PEARL CRESCENT: 9-10, 13, 15-16, 24-27, 30
EASTERN GRAY COMMA: 4, 7, 14, 16-17, 25-26
PAINTED LADY: 22
RED ADMIRAL: 1, 8, 14, 20, 23, 28
COMMON BUCKEYE: 1, 4-8, 10-14, 17, 21-22, 24, 27-28
RED-SPOTTED PURPLE: 12 (1), 19
VICEROY: 26, 28
MONARCH: 1-2, 4, 6-15, 21-22, 24-26, 28
LEAST SKIPPER: 1-2, 11, 17
COMMON SOOTYWING: 21, 26
Skipper sp.: 12, 25
WHITE-LINED SPHINX: 4

ODONATA
Spreadwing sp.: 2
BLUE-FRONTED DANCER: 1 (brown ♀), 6, 10 (1♀), 11 (1♂ + 1♀), 12-16, 19-22, 24-26, 28-29
POWDERED DANCER: 9, 11-17, 19-22, 25-30
BLUE-TIPPED DANCER: 28 (1♂ + 1♀)
RAINBOW BLUET: 11 (1♂), 16-17, 21-22, 30
DOUBLE-STRIPED BLUET: 18 (1 im), 21-22, 28
TULE BLUET: 15-16, 26-28
FAMILIAR BLUET: 8, 11, 17, 25, 27-28
STREAM BLUET: 19, 21-22, 24-25, 28-30
ORANGE BLUET: 9, 12, 21, 27-28
EASTERN FORKTAIL: 1-2, 4, 7, 9-10, 12, 14, 17-19, 21-22, 24-27, 30
COMMON GREEN DARNER: 4-6, 8-11, 13-14, 17, 24, 27, 30
PLAINS CLUBTAIL: 4 (1)
COMMON BASKETTAIL: 1, 3-8, 10-13, 15, 17-18, 21-22, 25-26
PRINCE BASKETTAIL: 12, 16-22, 25-26, 28, 30
HALLOWEEN PENNANT: 22 (1), 24, 30
EASTERN PONDHAWK: 1-2, 4, 6-8, 10, 12, 14-17, 22, 24, 27
DOT-TAILED WHITEFACE: 9-10, 12, 14
WIDOW SKIMMER: 4, 7, 10-17, 19, 21-22, 24-30
COMMON WHITETAIL: 1-17, 19-22, 24-28
TWELVE-SPOTTED SKIMMER: 2, 4-7, 10, 14-15, 17, 21-22, 24-30
BLUE DASHER: 4, 8-10, 14, 16-22, 24-28, 30
EASTERN AMBERWING: 19 (1), 22, 24, 26-30
VARIEGATED MEADOWHAWK: 19 (1)
WHITE-FACED MEADOWHAWK: 8 (1♀), 11 (1♀), 12
BLACK SADDLEBAGS: 1, 3-4, 6-17, 19, 21-22, 24-30
RED SADDLEBAGS: 3-4, 6-17, 19, 21-22, 24-26, 30



Wolf

July 6, 2012: Wolf's Notes 7/5

While Erv spotted the season's first Flag-tailed Spinylegs yesterday (which I haven't see yet this year), I found a Jade Clubtail today (5th), perched on a limb at the SW corner of the north lake's west bay. This is the first one I've observed this year. The Jade Clubtail is similar to the Flag-tailed Spinylegs, but doesn't have the "flag", blue eyes, and extensive markings on the thorax and abdomen.

Wolf

July 5, 2012: Photo of the Day: Picnic



Even Turkey Vultures got together for a picnic on the 4th! 7/4/12 (Wolf Oesterreich)

July 4, 2012: Erv's Field Notes #42

Flag-tailed Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spoliatus) that I took this morning (July 4). Look closely to see the big blue eye through the wing.   I love the names of this bug! (Erv Klaas)

Wednesday, July 4, 2012, 9:30-Noon, sunny, slight southerly breeze, Temperature 83-91 degrees F.

    I parked in the north lot and slowly walked the north shore of the lake looking for damsels and dragons, especially my favorite dragonfly which usually shows up along this stretch of shoreline every July. I saw no dragonflies and only a few damselflies: 2 male Blue-fronted Dancers, 1 male Powdered Dancer, 1 female Familiar Bluet, and 1 male Eastern Forktail.

    I then hiked up to Jensen’s Pond and spent a couple of hours here. I saw only one damselfly species, 2 male Eastern Forktails. Dragonflies were very active. I identified nine species. Blue dashers were perched on dead limbs along the shore, occasionally flying short distances to chase away an intruder to its territory or to court a female. These medium sized dragonflies have big green eyes, a blue abdomen with a black tip and amber wings which they tend to point forward when perched. The most abundant species at the pond was the Widow Skimmer. Males, conspicuous with their black and white spotted wings were patrolling every stretch of the shoreline as were Twelve-spotted Skimmers and Common Whitetails. A female Whitetail came by tapping the water with her tail as she laid her eggs while a male hovered over her ready to chase away other males. Blue and green male Eastern Pondhawks were courting the green and black females that were also depositing eggs in the shallow water. The comical Halloween Pennants were there too. Black Saddlebag pairs flew by in tandem and then a Red Saddlebag pair came by. The air was heating up and the dragonflies had nothing but sex on their tiny minds.

    I was running out of drinking water so I headed back down the hill. I decided to retrace my steps along the north shore on my way to the parking lot. And there it was: a spectacular big male Flag-tailed Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spoliatus) perched on a large white boulder near the water. I had my camera ready and managed to get a couple of photos. As I slowly edged around to get a better angle it flew off. Don’t you love those names.

Erv Klaas

July 3, 2012: Photo of the Day: Fisherman's Path

Path along the north shore of the north lake that fishermen have created to get to their favorite spots (looking east), 6/28/12 (Kevin Kane)

July 2, 2012: Photo of the Day: Blackbird

Red-winged blackbird perches above the north lake looking south toward the Inuksuit sculpture in the background, 6/28/12 (Kevin Kane)

July 1, 2012: Photo of the Day: Heron

Blue Heron flies off from the central wetland complex, 6/7/12 (Kevin Kane)

June 30, 2012: June Photo Collage

Photos posted in June by Kevin Kane, Erv Klaas, Wolf Oesterreich, Dave Brotherson, & Tana Tesdall.