Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Oct 28, 2013: Here Come the Geese


Canada Geese fly over the south lake lit by the morning sunrise. 10/25/13 (Kevin Kane)


Monday, October 28, 2013

Oct 27, 2013: Frosty Flowers




Early morning frost covers planted flowers near the southeast entrance. 10/25/13 (Kevin Kane)

Oct 26, 2013: North Wetland Complex

Six views across the north wetland complex from the NW corner of the Park. May through October 2013. (Wolf. Oesterreich) See all Wolf's monthly habitat photos here.


Saturday, October 26, 2013

Oct 25, 2013: Fall Fog

Fog and American Coots on the lake frame a colorful morning on the south lake in front of the bluff. 10/25/13 (Kevin Kane)

Friday, October 25, 2013

Oct 24, 2013: Jensen Farm

A NE view across the prairie (north wetland complex) towards the old Jensen farmstead. 10/24/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Oct 23, 2013: Fall Bicycling


A bicyclist speeds by getting in one of the last rides of the season, along the southwest shore of the south lake. 10/10/13 (Kevin Kane)


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Oct 22, 2013: Painted Lady




Possibly the last butterfly of the season, a Painted Lady.  This individual was found by the Ada Hayden memorial rock and flower garden. 10/20/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Oct 21, 2013: Bedstraw Sphinx




Another sphinx moth that inhabits the Park is the Bedstraw Sphinx (or Gallium Sphinx), although not as common as the White-lined Sphinx.  Twice now I have found the caterpillar of this species.  As with the White-lined Sphinx, the caterpillar is highly variable.  The photo shows the only variation that I have observed.  The larva is up to 8 cm long.  Common foodplants include: bedstraw, fireweed, and other plants in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). 10/17/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Monday, October 21, 2013

Oct 20, 2013: Beautiful Autumn Afternoon


Beautiful Sunday afternoon at the park, looking west across north lake. 10/20/13 (Kevin Kane)

Oct 19, 2013: October Clouds


Two layers of clouds pass by each other over the park. 10/11/13 (Kevin Kane)

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Oct 18, 2013: Fall Colors


Northward view across the south lake showing the Fall colors of bluff area. 10/18/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Oct 17, 2013: GAAR Donation to Friends of AHHP


From Great Ames Adventure Race Facebook Page (Wolf. Osterreich)

On October 14 the GAAR Committee donated $800 each to Food at First and to Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park. The contributions represent the proceeds from the 2013 race.

In the photo are (left to right); Rick Dietz, Don Muff, Erv Klaas (accepting the check for Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park), Dennis Jones (event director), Galen Wilke, and Art Barton. Another committee member, Eric Hart, is not pictured.

Oct 16, 2013: Milkweed Pod


9/22/13 (Kevin Kane)

Oct 15, 2013: Walk on the Hilltop


9/22/13 (Kevin Kane)

Monday, October 14, 2013

Oct 14, 2013: Franklin's Gull


This 1st Winter Franklin's Gull was found at the edge of the mudflat located at the SW corner of the south lake.  Yesterday, 31 were on the south lake, but only the one today.  10/14/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Oct 13, 2013: Low Water Line


The low water line makes for some uniqe shorline shapes in the southwest corner of the south lake. 10/10/13 (Kevin Kane)


Oct 12, 2013: Reflections on the West Bay


The west bay of the south lake (looking west-northwest) reflects the changing color of the trees.  10/10/13 (Kevin Kane)


Oct 11, 2013: Beautiful Autumn Day


Autumn 2013 has brought terrific weather to central Iowa.  This is a view of the south lake looking north on Oct 10th. (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Oct 10, 2013: Sunsets and Flowers


Perfect night on the south lake. 10/10/13 (Kevin Kane)


Oct 9, 2013: Erv's Field Notes #62




Female Band-winged Meadowhawk. 8/1/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Monday, October 7, 2013, 5:30 pm, Clear, sunny, light wind, Temp. 71 degrees F.

I took a walk along the north shore this evening. I did not bring my camera along because I told myself I just needed the exercise, no time to look for insects. I was looking directly into the sun and its reflection off the water . As I walked with my head down, it was difficult to see much more than the path in front of me. Nevertheless, the glistening wings of a small dragonfly caught my eye as it flushed from the nearby vegetation and flew out over the water a short distance. I continued to watch it as it landed on a large rock very near where I was standing. Now the sun was to my right and behind me as I looked at the insect with my binoculars. I could see that it was a female Meadowhawk. The body was brownish green, and the wings were clear except the venation on the leading edge of the forewings was reddish-orange. Each wing had a small yellow spot bordered in black near the tip. After a few minutes of study, I concluded it was a Saffron-winged Meadowhawk. The Variegated Meadowhawk has a lateral stripe and diamond-shaped patterns on the abdomen but the abdomen of this girl was nearly uniform in color. I regretted leaving my camera at home.
As I walked along the path, I saw a second female of this species, a male Familiar Bluet (damselfly) and a female damselfly that I could not identify. When I got home I confirmed my identification of the dragonfly in my reference book but the female damselfly will remain an enigma. 

Erv Klaas

Oct 8, 2013: Pelicans on South Lake



Tuesday morning, October 8th, Pelicans on the south lake looking northeast toward the bridge. 10/8/13 (Kevin Kane)

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Oct 7, 2013: Checkered White




If you don't look carefully you could easily dismiss this Checkered White as just another Cabbage White, the most common "White" at the Park. 10/7/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Oct 6, 2013: Morning Fog Over the Lake




9/25/13 (Kevin Kane)

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Oct 5, 2013: Sun and clouds


Clouds form on the horizon over the north lake. 10/5/13 (Kevin Kane)



Oct 4, 2013: American White Pelicans


Approximately 70 American White Pelicans were present at the Park today (before noon). They tended to congregate at the SW corner of the south lake. When flushed, they would circle many times over the Park before landing again. The ones with brown color on the wings are the immatures. 10/4/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Oct 3, 2013: Wolf's September Species Report


These 4 of 5 American Avocets, in winter-plumage, were found on the 1st, at the peninsula, located at the SW corner of the south lake. 10/1/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

September report for Ada Hayden Heritage Park:
A total of 89 (+ 2 sp.) avian species was recorded this month.

Based on citations in the 3rd Edition of “The Birds of Story County, Iowa,” by Stephen J. Dinsmore and Hank Zaletel (2001), plus my personal updates to the records, the last Warbling Vireo on the 22nd may be a new extreme late Fall record for Story County.

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 53rd Supplement (2012) to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds and the 12th Supplement to the 7th Edition (1998).

AVIAN
     CANADA GOOSE: 2, 3 (6+), 4 (11+), 7-8, 9 (5), 10 (18), 11-30
     WOOD DUCK: 14 (2), 15 (5), 16 (3), 25 (1)
     MALLARD: 1-2, 4-12, 14-18, 21-30
     BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 11 (23), 20 (220+), 21 (175+), 25 (3+), 29 (10)
     NORTHERN SHOVELER: 22 (~10)
     RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 3-5, 11, 14, 19-22, 25-27, 29
     PIED-BILLED GREBE: 1 (58+), 2 (1), 8 (1), 12 (48), 13 (6), 20 (8), 21 (34+), 22 (1)
     DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 9 (2), 11 (1), 24 (1)
     GREAT BLUE HERON: 1-2 (2), 3-6 (3), 7 (4), 8 (3), 9 (2), 10 (3), 11-12 (2), 13-14 (3), 15 (2),
                                    16 (3), 17 (1), 18 (3), 20 (3), 21-25 (2), 26-27 (1), 28 (3), 29 (2), 30 (3)
     GREEN HERON: 1 (2), 2 (1), 3 (2), 6-7 (1), 9 (2), 11 (1), 13 (1), 15 (1), 17-18 (1), 24 (1), 26 (1)
     TURKEY VULTURE: 1 (2), 2 (6) 3 (2), 4-5 (1), 6 (4), 8 (8+), 9 (8), 10 (14+), 11 (3), 12 (3), 13 (5),
                                    14 (14+), 15 (5+), 16 (8), 17 (1), 18 (16+), 19 (2), 20 (6), 22 (8), 23 (15), 24 (1),
                                    25 (6), 26 (3), 27 (9), 29 (4), 30 (6)
     OSPREY: 5 (1), 8 (1), 10 (1), 13 (2), 15 (1), 17-18 (1), 23 (1)
     BALD EAGLE: 8 (1 im), 15 (1 ad)
     COOPER’S HAWK: 8 (1 ad), 11 (1 ad), 17 (1), 21 (1)
     RED-TAILED HAWK: 2-3 (1), 5 (1), 7 (2), 10 (1), 14 (1), 23 (1)
     AMERICAN COOT: 20 (4), 21
     KILLDEER: 1-13, 15-17, 26, 28 (2)
     SOLITARY SANDPIPER: 17 (1), 21 (1)
     GREATER YELLOWLEGS: 20 (1)
     WILSON’S SNIPE: 7 (1)
     RING-BILLED GULL: 6 (1), 12 (1), 20 (1), 22 (5)
     FRANKLIN’S GULL: 20 (18+)
     CASPIAN TERN: 7 (12+), 18 (1)
     BLACK TERN: 10 (4)
     FORSTER’S TERN: 11 (1)
     MOURNING DOVE: 1-4, 6-14, 17-18, 21-23, 25-26, 28
     EASTERN SCREECH-OWL: 25 (1)
     CHIMNEY SWIFT: 3-4, 6, 9-10
     RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: 1-3, 7-9, 11 (2), 14
     BELTED KINGFISHER: 2 (1), 5 (1), 8 (1), 11 (1), 15 (1♂), 16 (1), 20-21 (2), 22 (1), 28 (1)
     RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 17, 22, 25, 29-30
     DOWNY WOODPECKER: 7, 10-11, 13, 16-17, 19-22, 26, 29-30
     HAIRY WOODPECKER: 2, 8, 14, 17, 19-22, 25
     NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 8 (1), 13-17, 20-25, 28-29
     Falcon sp.: 12 (1), 27 (1)
     OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER: 4-5 (1), 8 (1)
     EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE: 16 (1)
     YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: 8 (1)
     LEAST FLYCATCHER: 2 (1)
     Empidonax sp.: 4 (1), 7-11 (1), 14 (2), 15 (1)
     EASTERN PHOEBE: 8 (1), 14 (1), 17 (1), 23 (2), 24 (1), 29 (1)
     GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER: 21 (1)
     EASTERN KINGBIRD: 1 (1), 2 (2), 5 (1), 10 (5), 11 (4), 12 (2), 14 (1)
     BLUE-HEADED VIREO: 16 (1), 22 (1)
     WARBLING VIREO: 2-3 (3), 4-5 (1), 7 (1), 8 (2), 10 (1), 11 (2), 12 (1), 21 (1), 22
     PHILADELPHIA VIREO: 15-16 (1)
     RED-EYED VIREO: 7 (1), 10-11 (1), 14 (1)
     BLUE JAY: 8-9, 11-13, 15-17, 21-25, 28-29
     AMERICAN CROW: 1-30
     PURPLE MARTIN: 2 (1)
     TREE SWALLOW: 3 (1)
     CLIFF SWALLOW: 3, 6, 8
     BARN SWALLOW: 1-4, 6-9, 18, 21-22, 26
     BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1-3, 5, 7-8, 10-16, 19-26, 29-30
     WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 2, 4, 8, 11, 16, 21-22, 29
     HOUSE WREN: 11 (1), 21, 24
     SEDGE WREN: 21 (2)
     MARSH WREN: 17 (1)
     RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: 15 (1), 20-21 (1)
     EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 4, 5, 8 (1), 10 (1 ad + 2 im), 15 (2), 21, 22 (1)
     SWAINSON’S THRUSH: 8 (1)
     AMERICAN ROBIN: 1-16, 21-26, 28-30
     GRAY CATBIRD: 1, 3-4, 6-8, 10-12, 14-17, 19-21, 23
     BROWN THRASHER: 14 (1)
     EUROPEAN STARLING: 1, 6-8, 10-12, 14-16, 22-23, 26, 28-30
     CEDAR WAXWING: 2 (4), 3 (3), 4 (1), 9 (1), 10 (3), 11 (2), 12 (1), 15 (30+), 20 (4)
     NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH: 7 (1)
     BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: 16 (1)
     TENNESSEE WARBLER: 15 (1)
     ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: 14 (1)
     MOURNING WARBLER: 16 (1)
     COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 3, 7-9, 13, 17, 20-22
     AMERICAN REDSTART: 14 (1♀), 16 (1♂, 3♀)
     NORTHERN PARULA: 16 (1)
     MAGNOLIA WARBLER: 16 (1)
     YELLOW WARBLER: 14 (1♀)
     CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: 16 (1)
     CANADA WARBLER: 10 (1♂), 16 (1)
     WILSON’S WARBLER: 7 (1♂), 9-11 (1♂)
     CHIPPING SPARROW: 1 (3), 4 (7), 5, 10 (3), 11 (1), 15, 17 (3), 21
     SONG SPARROW: 1-6, 9-17, 21-22, 25
     LINCOLN’S SPARROW: 21-22 (1)
     SWAMP SPARROW: 17 (1), 21 (4), 22 (3), 28 (2)
     NORTHERN CARDINAL: 1-2, 4-12, 14, 17-18, 21-23, 27
     ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK: 2 (1)
     RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 5 (1), 21-22, 25-26
     COMMON GRACKLE: 14, 25-26, 29
     BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: 9 (1)
     HOUSE FINCH: 1, 3-5, 7-8, 11, 15, 17, 21-22, 25, 27, 29
     AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1-18, 20-30
     HOUSE SPARROW: 1-8, 10-16, 20-22, 25. 27-29

MAMMALIAN
     WHITE-TAILED DEER: 9 (1♀). 13 (1 yearling), 21 (5), 25 (1)
     FOX SQUIRREL: 2, 6, 9-11, 17, 21-23, 25, 28, 30
     THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL: 3, 7, 15, 20, 29
     EASTERN CHIPMUNK: 16-17, 22, 24-25, 27
     MUSKRAT: 16 (1)
     EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 1, 3-5, 7-8, 10-12, 14-19, 23-27, 30

REPTILIAN
     EASTERN GARTER SNAKE: 9 (1)
     NORTHERN PAINTED TURTLE: 1-16, 18, 20-27, 29-30
     RED-EARED SLIDER: 3 (1), 5 (1), 10 (1), 29 (1)
     WESTERN SPINY SOFTSHELL: 5 (1)

AMPHIBIAN
     AMERICAN TOAD: 3-9, 11, 14, 17-19, 23
     BLANCHARD’S CRICKET FROG: 10 (1)
     EASTERN GRAY TREE FROG: 7 (4), 8 (1)
     AMERICAN BULLFROG: 1-25, 27-30
     NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG: 2, 9

LEPIDOPTERA
     BLACK SWALLOWTAIL: 1-6, 9-13, 23-24 (1)
     CABBAGE WHITE: 1-7, 9-16, 18-27, 29-30
     CLOUDED SULPHUR: 7, 12
     ORANGE SULPHUR: 3-4, 6-7, 10-14, 16, 18-30
     DAINTY SULPHUR: 1-5, 7, 9-14, 18, 21, 23-25, 29-30
     Sulphur sp.: 1-3, 7
     EASTERN TAILED-BLUE: 1-8, 10-14, 18, 24
     PEARL CRESCENT: 1-2, 4, 6-7, 10-11, 13, 18, 20, 23
     MOURNING CLOAK: 3 (1), 13 (1), 20 (1)
     PAINTED LADY: 2, 5, 7, 11-14, 16, 18-20, 22-23, 25-29
     RED ADMIRAL: 3, 9, 24
     COMMON BUCKEYE: 1, 3-4, 9-11, 18
     VICEROY: 1, 3-5, 7, 9-11, 25
     MONARCH: 1-14, 16-18, 21-25, 28-30
     Skipper sp.: 5, 13, 21, 23, 25
     WHITE-LINED SPHINX: 7, 22, 24 (caterpillar & adult), 27 (caterpillar), 30 (caterpillar)
     CELERY LOOPER: 13

ODONATE
     AMERICAN RUBYSPOT: 4 (1♂), 6 (1♀), 14 (1♀), 25 (1♀)
     LYRE-TIPPED SPREADWING: 25
     Spreadwing sp.: 2, 10
     BLUE-FRONTED DANCER: 3, 12
     POWDERED DANCER: 4, 9-10
     DOUBLE-STRIPED BLUET: 1
     TULE BLUET: 1, 3, 6-7, 12
     FAMILIAR BLUET: 1-7, 9-15, 18, 21-22, 24-25, 27
     STREAM BLUET: 1, 3
     SKIMMING BLUET: 6, 11
     ORANGE BLUET: 2-4, 6, 9-10, 21-22, 27
     EASTERN FORKTAIL: 1-7, 9, 13-14, 18, 21, 24, 30 (1♀)
     COMMON GREEN DARNER: 1-2, 11, 13-14, 16, 17 (1), 18, 20-23, 25, 29
     FLAG-TAILED SPINYLEG: 1 (2), 3 (1), 4-6 (2), 9 (4), 10-11 (2), 12-13 (1), 18 (1), 21 (1)
     PRINCE BASKETTAIL: 1, 3, 5, 8, 12, 20
     HALLOWEEN PENNANT: 1-7, 9-12
     EASTERN PONDHAWK: 2-7, 10-12, 18, 23, 27 (1♀)
     WIDOW SKIMMER: 1-7, 9-13, 18, 22-23
     COMMON WHITETAIL: 4, 6, 12-14, 18, 20 (1♀), 21-25
     TWELVE-SPOTTED SKIMMER: 5-6, 8
     BLUE DASHER: 1, 3-7, 9-11, 23
     WANDERING GLIDER: 1-3, 5-7, 11, 13, 21, 24, 29
     EASTERN AMBERWING: 1, 3-7, 9-14
     VARIEGATED MEADOWHAWK: 13
     SAFFRON-WINGED MEADOWHAWK: 13, 16, 21, 23, 30
     CHERRY-FACED MEADOWHAWK: 12-13, 16, 20-24, 29-30
     WHITE-FACED MEADOWHAWK: 7 (1♀), 8 (1♂), 10, 12-16, 20-2, 24-25, 29-30
     RUBY MEADOWHAWK: 13, 29
     BAND-WINGED MEADOWHAWK: 9, 13, 16, 25
     Meadowhawk sp.: 14, 16, 21, 24-27
     BLACK SADDLEBAGS: 1 (3), 2, 5-6, 9-10, 14, 16, 18, 20
     RED SADDLEBAGS: 9 (3), 10 (1), 26-27

ORTHOPTERA
     CAROLINA GRASSHOPPER: 1-14, 18, 20-30
     NORTHWESTERN RED-WINGED GRASSHOPPER: 1, 9, 11, 24
     AUTUMN YELLOW-WINGED GRASSHOPPER: 9, 11-12, 29

MANTODEA
     CHINESE MANTID: 19, 25

Wolf. Oesterreich

Oct 2, 2013: Tree House





Dale Wilson, 10/1/13

Wednesday, October 2, 2013