Thursday, December 31, 2015
Dec 31, 2015: Goodbye to 2015
The 2015 yearly collage made up of the year's monthly collages.
Thanks to everyone who continue to contribute to the blog! We have had more than 99,500 pageviews since we started at the very end of 2011 and many more at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfAdaHaydenHeritagePark
Kevin
Thanks to the following photo contributors:
Wolf. Oesterreich
Kevin Kane
LaDan Omidvar
Erv Klaas
Tana Clark Tesdall
R.J. Gardner
Ellen Fairchild
Paul Domoto
Debbie Gray
Tom Zimmerman
Maggie Hamilton
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Dec 29, 2015: A Winter View
From the Upland Trail, near the north trailhead, looking eastward across the plantings. 12/25/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Dec 28, 2015: A Year in the Life of a Wetland
These photos were taken on the 15th of each month of Pool F. Starting in January in the upper left through December in lower right, the photos show the changing seasons in the park. You can see all the individual photos here with links to years 2012-2014 also. (All photos by Wolf. Oesterreich.)
Dec 26, 2015: Snow on the Upland Trail
The Upland Trail as it passes along the south side of Jensen Pond, looking east. 12/25/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Dec 25, 2015: White Christmas
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. We did get a white Christmas!
A SE and south view across the north wetland complex, as observed from the NW corner of the Upland Trail. 12/25/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)Dec 24, 2015: Snowy Stillness
A mid-afternoon Christmas Eve snowstorm blanketed the park with about 3 inches of snow. A NE view across Pond G. 12/25/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Dec 23, 2015: Boreal Chorus Frog
Despite it being the 23rd of December, a single Boreal Chorus Frog
was found on the lakes trail (south side of the north lake's west bay).
Doesn't it know that it is Winter? This frog was found in the late am,
before the rain, sleet, and snow. 12/23/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Friday, December 25, 2015
Dec 22, 2015: Misty Winter Morning
Early morning mist highlights the bridge and its reflection in tranquil waters, looking south from north lake shore, 12/2/12 (Kevin Kane)
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Dec 21, 2015: North Slope
An eastward view along the north slope, as viewed from the NW
corner, on a misty day. This photo is a day late due to my
participation in the Saylorville Christmas Bird Count. 12/21/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Dec 20, 2015: One Year Ago - Water to Ice
As the temps continued to fall this week the north lake finally froze over. This is a view along the north shore showing the boundary between open water and ice. The south lake was still open with more and more geese and ducks congregating daily. 11/21/14 (Kevin Kane)
Dec 18, 2015: Sunset
Somehow we missed this image from early November in the Iowa State Daily! ( Max Goldberg)
http://www.iowastatedaily.com/multimedia/image_b1f5bf00-8635-11e5-b4e5-f3cc0d388bcc.html
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Dec 16, 2015: Flooded Boat Ramp
Recent rain has increased water levels in the lake causing a bit of flooding in the area of the boat ramp on the north lake. 12/16/15 (LaDan Omidvar)
Dec 15, 2015: Flooded Winter Wetlands
A NW and N view (under overcast conditions) across Pool F, towards the highlands. Note the flooding from the recent rains. 12/15/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Dec 11, 2015: Northern Leopard Frog
I was surprised to find this Northern Leopard Frog below Pool F's
outflow culvert. Although, with the mild temperatures we are
experiencing, it should have been no surprise. I aslo observed a
Red-eared Slider yesterday at Jensen Pond. 12/11/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Dec 9, 2015: Z-Boat
The Iowa DOT has been taking their new Z-Boat out on the north lake the
last couple of days. They will use this machine to map lake and stream
substrates. 12/9/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Dec 8, 2015: Fading Light & Reflection
Reflections of the leafless trees in the north lake (looking to the SW) as daylight fades away. 11/28/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Dec 7, 2015: End of Year Donations to Friends of AHHP
Please consider Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park in your end of year giving plans. There are two easy ways to help build and protect the future of our favorite park!
Membership. Used for park improvements such as signage and plantings and to support the summer intern that organizes our interpretive programs. Contributions are tax deductible as charitable contributions.
Annual dues:
Student, $20
Individual/Family $35
Contributor, $50
Sustaining, $100
Patron, $500
We are a tax-exempt 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Make checks out to:
Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park
Send to:
Stephanie Fox, Treasurer
3921 Squaw Road
Ames, IA 50014
Endowment. Funds held permanently at the Story County Community Foundation to support the long-term viability of Friends. Contributions are tax deductible as Federal charitable contributions and also qualify for an additional 25% Endow Iowa tax credit. For more information see http://www.storycountyfoundation.org/en/endow_iowa_tax_credit_program/
The link for direct deposits to the Foundation is https://dmf.iphiview.com/dmf/FundInformation/tabid/495/dispatch/accountselection_id$106376_hash$196ed4c411a4dd4c7a292c2f9662ca22774f0fe4/Default.aspx
Friday, December 11, 2015
Dec 6, 2015: Northern Hills
A northward view towards the north slope, from just east of the bluff spur on the lakes trail. 12/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Dec 4, 2015: Jensen Pond
An east view across Jensen Pond, under an overcast sky and light sprinkles. 11/30/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Dec 3, 2015: Cooper's Hawk
Looking up at an adult Cooper's Hawk, found just past the Upland Trail's south trailhead. 12/2/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Dec 2, 2015: Savannah Snowfall
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Dec 1, 2015: Wolf's November 2015 Wildlife Report
Two Great Blue Herons have been hanging around through the end of
November. (Who knows if they'll stay into December?) This one has been
typically found along the north lake's shore, especially along the NW
corner, while the other one is usually found at Pool F or Pond J.
A total of 76 avian species (plus 1 sp.) was recorded this month, ranking this month as the 2nd highest November among 18 years of records. November 1999 with only 40 species remains as the lowest November, while Novembers 2014 and 2010 are the highest with 77 species.
Wolf. Oesterreich
A total of 76 avian species (plus 1 sp.) was recorded this month, ranking this month as the 2nd highest November among 18 years of records. November 1999 with only 40 species remains as the lowest November, while Novembers 2014 and 2010 are the highest with 77 species.
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 following may represent new extreme late Fall records: 1 Great
Egret on the 19th-21st (former record set on 4 November 2004 at Ada
Hayden HP), 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper on the 12th (10 November 2010
at Ada Hayden HP), 1 Wilson’s Snipe on the 16th-17th (10
November 2004 at Ada Hayden HP), 1 Franklin’s Gull on the 28th (20
November 2004 at Ada Hayden HP), and 1 Lincoln’s Sparrow on the 6th (5
November 1986 at State Forest Nursery).
The single Common Redpoll found on the 21st may represent a
new extreme early Winter record (22 November 2001 in my backyard).
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 55th Supplement (2014) to the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds and
the 14th Supplement to the 7th Edition (1998).
AVIAN
GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: 24 (1), 29 (4), 30 (6)
ROSS’S
GOOSE: 14 (1)
CACKLING
GOOSE: 21 (3), 28 (4), 29
CANADA
GOOSE: 1-2, 4-11, 13-25, 27-30
TRUMPETER
SWAN: 27
WOOD
DUCK: 1 (5), 2 (7), 4 (10), 5 (17), 6 (25+), 7 (32+), 8, 9 (2), 10 (3), 12
(13+), 14 (1),
15 (1♂), 17 (1♂),
21 (2♂), 23-24 (1♀), 28 (1♂ + 1♀)
GADWALL:
1 (19♂ + 15♀), 5 (7), 7 (12), 8 (28), 9 (6), 11 (30+), 12 (21+), 13 (5+), 14
(8),
15 (3♂), 18 (4♂ + 1♀), 19
(13), 20 (1), 21 (5), 24 (13), 25 (4)
AMERICAN
WIGEON: 1 (5), 4 (2), 7 (6), 9 (1), 10 (2), 17 (1♂ + 1♀)
AMERICAN
BLACK DUCK: 6-13 (2), 15-17 (2), 20-23 (2), 25 (2)
MALLARD:
1-2, 4-15, 16 (350+), 17-25, 27-30
NORTHERN
SHOVELER: 1 (7), 5 (1♂ + 1♀), 6 (7), 7 (45+), 8, 10 (1♀), 14 (8), 15 (23),
18
(36+), 21 (12+), 22 (4),
23 (5), 24 (9), 25 (3), 28 (1♂ + 3♀), 29 (11)
NORTHERN
PINTAIL: 1 (1♂), 5 (5), 6 (1♂ + 5♀), 7 (2♂), 8, 9 (1♂ + 2♀), 10 (2♀),
12 (3♂ +
2♀), 15 (2♂ + 1♀), 18
(2♂ + 3♀), 19 (1♂ + 2♀), 28-29 (1♂)
GREEN-WINGED
TEAL: 1 (9), 2 (4), 4 (7), 6 (8+), 8, 9 (13+), 12 (23+), 13 (42+), 19 (1♀),
22
(3), 23 (5)
CANVASBACK:
16 (1♂ + 2♀), 28 (1♂)
REDHEAD:
1 (1♂), 22 (1♂ + 1♀)
RING-NECKED
DUCK: 1 (4♂ + 2♀), 7 (20), 10 (4♀), 19 (2♂), 21 (2), 28 (1♂)
LESSER
SCAUP: 7 (26+), 9 (2♂), 15 (14♂ + 11♀), 19 (9), 20 (1), 21 (5), 25 (4), 27-28
(1♂)
BUFFLEHEAD:
19 (1♂), 20 (1♂ + 2♀), 21 (18), 22 (1♀), 24 (1♂ + 2♀)
COMMON
GOLDENEYE: 23 (1♂)
HOODED
MERGANSER: 6 (1♀), 19 (1♂ + 5♀), 20 (3♀), 22 (3♀), 28 (2♀), 29 (1♀)
COMMON
MERGANSER: 15 (1♀), 28 (1♀)
RUDDY
DUCK: 1 (7), 21 (5), 27 (1♀)
RING-NECKED
PHEASANT: 1, 4-7, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20-23, 24 (10♂), 25, 30
PIED-BILLED
GREBE: 1 (4), 2 (2), 4 (3), 5-6 (1), 20 (1), 22 (2), 23-25 (1), 27-30 (1)
HORNED
GREBE: 13 (1), 21 (1), 24 (1), 30 (1)
DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANT: 27 (2)
AMERICAN
WHITE PELICAN: 10-11 (3), 13 (1), 14 (8), 17-18 (2), 19 (1)
GREAT
BLUE HERON: 1 (3), 2 (4), 4 (3), 5-7 (4), 8 (2), 9-10 (5), 11 (6), 12 (4), 13-14
(3),
15 (1), 16-17 (2), 18-19
(1), 20-22 (2), 23 (3), 24-25 (1), 27-30 (2)
GREAT
EGRET: 1-2 (1), 4 (1), 5 (2), 6-7 (1), 8-12 (2), 13-15 (1), 17 (1), 19-21 (1)
BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON: 2 (1 im), 6 (2 im), 15 (1 im)
BALD
EAGLE: 4 (1 ad), 7 (1 ad), 15 (1 im), 16 (1 ad), 19 (1 ad), 20 (1 ad + 1 im),
22 (1 ad),
28 (1 im), 29 (1 ad)
COOPER’S
HAWK: 1 (1), 13 (1 ad)
RED-TAILED
HAWK: 4-6 (1), 8-11 (1), 13 (1), 17 (1), 19 (1), 20-25 (2), 27 (1), 28 (3), 29
(1),
30 (2)
AMERICAN
COOT: 1 (5), 2 (4), 6 (1), 7 (8), 9 (2), 10-13 (1), 14 (2), 15-18 (1), 21 (21),
22 (12), 23 (9), 24 (23), 25 (22),
27 (24), 28-29 (16), 30 (17)
KILLDEER:
10 (2)
SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPER: 12 (1)
WILSON’S
SNIPE: 8 (2), 9-12 (1), 14-15 (2), 16-17 (1)
RING-BILLED
GULL: 11-12 (1),
FRANKLIN’S
GULL: 25 (1), 28 (1)
MOURNING
DOVE: 19 (3), 21 (2), 27 (1)
BELTED
KINGFISHER: 6 (1), 11 (1), 14 (1), 17 (1), 25 (1), 27 (1)
RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER: 5-11, 15, 20, 22, 24-25, 27-29
DOWNY
WOODPECKER: 1-2, 5, 7, 9-11, 13, 15-17, 20-30
HAIRY
WOODPECKER: 4, 7, 9-10, 22-23, 25, 29
NORTHERN
FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 7 (1)
MERLIN:
24 (1♀ prairie race)
BLUE
JAY: 1, 7-9, 11, 15-16, 20-23, 25-30
AMERICAN
CROW: 1-2, 7-11, 13-18, 20-30
BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEE: 1-2, 4-30
WHITE-BREASTED
NUTHATCH: 1-2, 4, 6-11, 13-16, 20, 25
WINTER
WREN: 4 (1)
GOLDEN-CROWNED
KINGLET: 1 (2), 5 (1)
RUBY-CROWNED
KINGLET: 2 (1)
EASTERN
BLUEBIRD: 1, 6 (4), 7 (6), 9 (2), 11, 27 (4)
AMERICAN
ROBIN: 1-2, 4-11, 23, 25 (4 + 11 BY), 28 (1 BY)
EUROPEAN
STARLING: 1, 6-12, 14, 22, 28-29
CEDAR
WAXWING: 2 (~20)
AMERICAN
TREE SPARROW: 1 (12+), 2 (9+), 4 (2+), 5 (3+), 6 (9+), 7 (6), 8-30
FIELD
SPARROW: 1 (1)
FOX
SPARROW: 2 (1), 7 (3), 9 (1), 11-12 (1)
SONG
SPARROW: 1 (22+), 2 (5+), 4 (7+), 5 (11+), 6 (4+), 7 (1), 8 (3), 9 (2), 11, 13
(1),
15-16 (1), 22 (4), 23 (2),
25 (2), 28-29 (1)
LINCOLN’S
SPARROW: 1 (1), 6 (1)
SWAMP
SPARROW: 4 (1), 9 (1), 27 (1)
WHITE-THROATED
SPARROW: 5 (1), 8 (1), 25-26 (1 BY)
HARRIS’S
SPARROW: 1 (3), 4 (2), 5 (1), 6 (18+), 7 (6+), 10 (6), 11-12 (3), 13 (6), 14
(2),
15 (1), 16 (3), 17 (1),
18 (3), 20 (2), 21 (4)
WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROW: 1 (9+), 2 (4+), 4 (5+), 5 (9+), 6 (2+), 7 (2), 8 (1), 11 (2),
12 (4), 13-16 (1), 20 (1)
DARK-EYED
JUNCO (Slate-colored):1 (10+), 2 (15+), 4 (15+), 5 (3+), 6 (58+), 7 (22+),
8-18, 20-30
NORTHERN
CARDINAL: 1, 4, 6, 8-12, 14-16, 18-30
RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRD: 1-2, 6 (5), 10, 13 (~50), 19 (3), 20 (1), 24
RUSTY
BLACKBIRD: 1 (10+), 8 (1), 9 (3)
COMMON
GRACKLE: 1, 12 (~30)
BROWN-HEADED
COWBIRD: 22 (1♂ + 1♀)
blackbirds
sp: 2
HOUSE
FINCH: 1-2, 4-5, 7, 10-11, 13-18, 20-30
COMMON
REDPOLL: 21 (1)
AMERICAN
GOLDFINCH: 1-2, 4-9, 11, 24-26, 29-30
HOUSE
SPARROW: 1, 4-30
Unless indicated otherwise, the
White-tailed Deer were antlerless. The
yearlings were just about the same size as the adults. One magnificent
male (8-pt) has been regularly seen by many. The other male that I have
observed is just a "spike male".
MAMMALIAN
AMERICAN
MINK: 18 (1), 30 (1)
WHITE-TAILED
DEER: 4 (1), 8 (2), 9 (1♂), 12 (1♂ + 2 + 3 BY), 13 (1♂), 18 (2 BY), 19 (2),
22
(3 BY), 23 (6), 24 (6 + 1♂),
25 (2), 28 (1♂), 29 (2), 30 (3 BY)
FOX
SQUIRREL: 2, 7-8, 11-29, 22-30
THIRTEEN-LINED
GROUND SQUIRREL:
MUSKRAT:
10 (5), 11 (2), 12-16 (1), 20 (1), 21 (2), 22 (4), 23 (2), 24 (3), 25 (4), 27
(2),
28 (4), 29 (2)
EASTERN
COTTONTAIL: 11, 13-14, 17, 20, 22-24, 27-28, 30
REPTILIAN
PLAINS
GARTER SNAKE: 12 (1)
NORTHERN
PAINTED TURTLE: 1 (6), 2 (16), 4 (12), 5 (6), 6 (2), 7 (3), 8 (1), 13 (1)
RED-EARED
SLIDER: 2 (1), 4 (1)
AMPHIBIAN
BOREAL
CHORUS FROG: 1-2, 5, 8
AMERICAN
BULLFROG: 4 (2), 11 (1), 17 (3)
NORTHERN
LEOPARD FROG: 5 (4)
An unidentified light-colored moth was seen briefly on the 29th.
LEPIDOPTERA
ORANGE
SULPHUR: 1 (2), 5 (1), 7 (2), 11 (1)
Sulphur
sp.: 1 (1), 2, 4 (2), 5 (3), 7 (3)
PEARL
CRESCENT: 8 (1)
RED
ADMIRAL: 4 (1)
COMMON
BUCKEYE: 4 (1), 8 (1)
MONARCH:
7 (1)
WOOLLY
BEAR (ISABELLA TIGER MOTH): 1-2, 4-5, 7-8, 11, 13-15, 24-25
ORTHOPTERA
CAROLINA
GRASSHOPPER: 1 (1)
Monday, November 30, 2015
Nov 30, 2015: November 2015 Photo Collage
November 2015 photos from the blog by Wolf. Oesterreich, Kevin Kane, Tana Clark Tesdall, Ellen Fairchild, Paul Domoto, and Debbie Gray. This month had the largest guest contributors of photos since the start of the blog four years ago. Thanks everyone!
Nov 29, 2015: A Wonderful Autumn
As we close out November, we can celebrate the weather which has been unusually mild this autumn, allowing lots of activity at the park. It's also brought some wonderfully foggy mornings (nice for photos!), like this one in late October. 10/26/15 (Kevin Kane)
Nov 28, 2015: Dusk Reflections
Canada Geese head out to feed one more time in the fading light. (looking NW from the east side of the south lake.) 11/28/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Nov 27, 2015: Golden
The sun sets behind the water tower, as viewed from the lakes trail on the east side of the south lake. 11/24/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Nov 25, 2015: Ring-billed Gull
A single Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) was found at the main parking lot (left). When a car drove by it took flight (right). Later, the gull was found swimming on the south lake. 11/22/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Friday, November 27, 2015
Nov 19, 2015: Trout Release
Chris Larson, DNR research technician, prepares to release rainbow trout into the water at Ada Hayden Park on Thursday (11/19).
Photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune image
Trout release draws anglers to Ada Hayden Lake
From the Ames Tribune
By Austin Harrington
Staff Writer
aharrington@amestrib.com
Anglers fought the wind and lined the banks along the north side of the Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake Thursday waiting for more than 2,000 rainbow trout to be released at noon. Stocking the lake with trout is part of the Urban Lakes Trout Program, an effort to introduce trout fishing to fishing enthusiasts across the state.
DNR research technician Chris Larson said the event always brings people out to the lakes all around the state of Iowa.
- See more at: http://amestrib.com/news/trout-release-draws-anglers-ada-hayden-lake#sthash.5gnt6ml4.dpuf
Trout release draws anglers to Ada Hayden Lake
Anglers
fought the wind and lined the banks along the north side of the Ada
Hayden Heritage Park Lake Thursday waiting for more than 2,000 rainbow
trout to be released at noon. Stocking the lake with trout is part of
the Urban Lakes Trout Program, an effort to introduce trout fishing to
fishing enthusiasts across the state.
DNR research technician Chris Larson said the event always brings people out to the lakes all around the state of Iowa.
DNR research technician Chris Larson said the event always brings people out to the lakes all around the state of Iowa.
Nov 18, 2015: American White Pelican
This American White Pelican was coming in for a landing at Pond J.
After a another lap around the main lakes I found that a second pelican
had joined the first one. 11/17/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Nov 17, 2015: American Bullfrogs
Despite it being the middle of November, these American Bullfrogs were found at Jensen Pond. 11/17/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Nov 16, 2015: Northern Hills
A northward view from the lakes trail, just east of the bluff
spur. (In the near future there will be houses lining the north slope.) 11/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Nov 14, 2015: One Year Ago
The outflow channel from Pool F during a light snowfall. 11/15/14 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
Nov 13, 2015: Hornet Nest
This probable nest of the Bald-faced Hornet was found in the woods next to the "Circle of Life" (Upland Trail, NW corner). 11/13/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)
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