Monday, October 31, 2016

Oct 31, 2016: October 2016 Photo Collage



October 2016 photos from the blog by Wolf. Oesterreich, Kevin Kane, Alex Braidwood, Paul Domoto, and Kelly Poole.

Oct 30, 2016: White-tail Buck


A white-tailed buck scampers across the wetland fringe. Contributed by Paul Domoto, 10/31/16.

Oct 29, 2016: White Feather




Some say that white feathers are a sign that loved ones that have died are near by. This is from the west shore of the north lake at Ada this morning (Kelly Poole, 10/24/16).

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Oct 24, 2016: Northern Leopard Frog


This Northern Leopard Frog was found along on the lakes trail (the section along the north lake's west bay).  I moved it to the adjacent vegetated area, but found it on the trail again during the next passing. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/23/16)

Oct 23, 2016: Autumn Reflection


Reflections on the south lake bay. (Kevin Kane, 10/7/16)

Oct 22, 2016: Bluff Colors


The Fall colors of the bluff reflected onto the waters of the south lake. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/22/16)

Friday, October 28, 2016

Oct 21, 2016: A Peaceful Goodbye to the Day


The sun sets over the serene south lake. (Kevin Kane, 10/7/16)

Oct 20, 2016: American Coots


Three American Coots (one partially hidden between the two facing left) perch on a submerged snag (SW corner of the north lake's west bay).  These waterbirds are not ducks, but rather, a member of the Rail family (Rallidae). (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/19/16)

Oct 19, 2016: Eastern Comma


One of the few butterflies still flying about is this Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma), a member of the Nymphalidae family. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/17/16)

Oct 18, 2016: Autumn in the Park


Fall colors at the Park: looking NE across the south lake's west bay, towards the bluff area. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/18/16)

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Oct 17, 2016: Fall Colors



Fall colors at Jensen Pond. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/17/16)

Oct 16, 2016: Sumac Reflection

Reflection of sumac in the waters of the south lake's west bay. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/12/16)

Oct 15, 2016: Franklin's Gull


A single Franklin's Gull was found at the main parking lot on the 14th.  Sometimes the gull joined a small group of Canada Geese.This gull is now in it's Winter plumage.  (In late September and on the 1st of this month, hundreds of Franklin's Gulls passed through the area, many dropping down briefly onto the main lakes.) (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/14/16)

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Oct 11, 2016: Raccoon


This juvenile Raccoon (Procyon lotor) was found along the lakes trail, east side of the south lake. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/4/16)

Oct 10, 2016: Crescent Moon


Cottonwood leaves backlit by the crescent moon. (Kevin Kane, 10/7/16)

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Oct 8, 2016: Setting Sun


The rays of the setting sun through the trees along the east side of Pool F. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/3/16)

Oct 7, 2016: The Proposal


With the help of some stealthy friends, a man proposes to his bride-to-be at sunset Friday evening. (Kevin Kane, 10/7/2016)

Oct 6, 2016: Wolf's September 2016 Wildlife Report


This Double-crested Cormorant was present from the 23rd through the 28th and was found several times on the log just north of the spillway (SE corner of the south lake). (Wolf. Oesterreich, 9/25/16)

A total of 89 (+ 1 sp.) avian species was recorded this month, ranking this month as the 8th highest and 8th lowest September (& tied with 2013) among 19 years of records.  September 2007 with 126 species remains as the highest September, while September 1998 and 2002 are the lowest with 61 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 single Merlin on the 1st may be a new extreme early Fall record for Story County (former record set on 2 Sep 1984 at Larson Marsh).  The single Lark Sparrow on the 6th ties with 2004 as the extreme early Fall record.  The 200+ Franklin’s Gulls observed on the 28th may set a new peak number for the Fall migration (former peak of 161 set on 5 Nov 1995 at Hallett’s Quarry).

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
     CANADA GOOSE: 1, 4-5, 19-30
     WOOD DUCK: 1-8, 19-23, 25 (1), 26 (1♂), 27-30
     MALLARD: 1-8, 19-30
     BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 5 (5), 7 (~15), 26 (28), 27 (12+), 29 (12+), 30 (4)
     GREEN-WINGED TEAL: 7 (1)
     RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 6 (1♀), 7, 23, 25, 27, 30
     PIED-BILLED GREBE: 8 (4), 24 (2), 27 (1), 28 (2), 30 (1)
     HORNED GREBE: 27 (1)
     DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 2-3 (1), 7 (1), 23-28 (1)
     AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 22 (1), 28-30 (1)
     GREAT BLUE HERON: 1-2 (5), 3 (4), 4 (5), 5 (6), 6 (4), 7 (6), 8 (4), 9 (3), 19-20 (2), 21 (6),
          22 (4), 23-24 (2), 25 (1), 26-27 (3), 28 (2), 29 (4), 30 (3)
     GREAT EGRET: 1-4 (1), 5-7 (2), 8 (1), 9 (4), 20 (1), 21-22 (2), 23 (3), 25-26 (2), 27-30 (1)
     GREEN HERON: 1-8 (1), 21-22 (1), 24 (1), 28 (1)
     TURKEY VULTURE: 1 (5), 2 (11), 3 (3), 4 (1), 5 (3), 6 (6), 7 (1), 8 (2), 20 (2), 21 (8), 23 (3),
          24 (6), 25 (2), 26 (11), 27 (6), 28-39 (4)
     OSPREY: 8 (1), 20 (1), 22-23 (1), 25-26 (1)
     BALD EAGLE: 4 (1 ad), 7 (1 ad), 25 (1 ad)
     COOPER’S HAWK: 3 (1), 23 (1), 27 (1)
     SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: 27 (1)
     RED-TAILED HAWK: 1-2 (1), 4 (1), 6-8 (1), 20 (1), 26 (1), 30 (2)
     SORA: 1 (1), 24 (1)
     AMERICAN COOT: 24-26 (2), 27 (4), 28 (6), 29 (1), 30 (3)
     KILLDEER: 1 (1), 3 (1), 4 (2), 6 (1), 8 (1), 23 (1)
     FRANKLIN’S GULL: 25 (25+), 26 (100+), 28 (200-300), 30 (~100)
     RING-BILLED GULL: 26 (13+), 28 (2)
     CASPIAN TERN: 8 (3)
     EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: 28-29 (2)
     MOURNING DOVE: 1-8, 19-23, 28, 30
     COMMON NIGHTHAWK: 7 (20+), 8 (110+)
     CHIMNEY SWIFT: 2-4, 6-8, 19, 22, 27, 29
     RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD: 1 (2), 2-3 (1)
     BELTED KINGFISHER: 9 (1), 22 (1), 24 (1), 25 (2), 26 (1), 28-30 (1)
     RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 4, 20, 26, 30
     DOWNY WOODPECKER: 1, 3-5, 7-9, 23
     NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 1 (4), 5 (1), 7 (1), 19-20, 22 (2), 24-25 (1), 26 (2),
          27-28 (1), 29 (2)
     MERLIN: 1 (1)
     EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE: 3 (1)
     LEAST FLYCATCHER: 7 (1)
     Empidonax sp.: 1 (1), 2-3 (2), 4 (1), 5 (2), 8-9 (1)
     EASTERN PHOEBE: 1 (3), 2 (2), 3 (1), 7 (1), 20 (1), 28 (1), 30 (1)
     BLUE-HEADED VIREO: 9 (2)
     WARBLING VIREO: 1-2 (1), 5 (1)
     PHILADELPHIA VIREO: 1 (1)
     RED-EYED VIREO: 1 (1), 2, 4 (1), 24 (1)
     BLUE JAY: 2-5, 7-8, 19-30
     AMERICAN CROW: 1-2, 4-9, 19-27, 29-30
     TREE SWALLOW: 24 (1), 27
     CLIFF SWALLOW: 2-6
     BARN SWALLOW: 1-6, 19, 22-24, 26-29
     BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1, 3-9, 19-20, 22-24, 26-30
     WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1, 3-5, 19-20, 22, 28
     HOUSE WREN: 1-7, 19, 22-23, 24 (2), 29 (1)
     SEDGE WREN: 29 (1)
     RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: 26-28 (1)
     EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 2, 25 (2), 30 (10)
     SWAINSON’S THRUSH: 8 (1), 24 (1)
     AMERICAN ROBIN: 2-6, 20, 30
     GRAY CATBIRD: 1-2, 4-6, 8, 21
     BROWN THRASHER: 20 (2)
     EUROPEAN STARLING: 1-2, 4-5, 7
     CEDAR WAXWING: 19, 22 (6), 24 (6), 30 (25+)
     OVENBIRD: 2 (1)
     GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: 4 (1♂ + 1♀), 8 (1♂ + 1♀)
     BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER: 8 (3), 9 (2)
     TENNESSEE WARBLER: 8 (1)
     ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: 27 (2)
     NASHVILLE WARBLER: 1 (1), 8 (1)
     COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 4 (1), 7, 27-28 (1)
     AMERICAN REDSTART: 1 (1), 2 (2), 4 (2), 8 (2), 9 (4)
     MAGNOLIA WARBLER: 1 (2), 2 (1), 4 (1), 8 (2)
     BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: 4 (1♀)
     CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: 1 (1), 4-5 (1), 8 (1)
     YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (Myrtle): 27-28 (1), 30 (1)
     CANADA WARBLER: 5 (1)
     CHIPPING SPARROW: 2 (1), 30 (4)
     FIELD SPARROW: 30 (3)
     LARK SPARROW: 2 (1), 6 (1)
     LE CONTE’S SPARROW: 28 (1)
     SONG SPARROW: 1, 4-8, 19-20, 22-23, 28 (5), 29 (2), 30 (4)
     LINCOLN’S SPARROW: 28 (5), 29-30 (2)
     WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: 27 (3), 28 (6), 29 (17+), 30 (3)
     HARRIS’S SPARROW: 29-30 (1)
     WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: 30 (4)
     NORTHERN CARDINAL: 1-3, 5-7, 19-20, 25-27, 29
     DICKCISSEL: 1-2 (1)
     RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 22 (~25), 29-30
     COMMON GRACKLE: 5
     BALTIMORE ORIOLE: 3 (1♂)
     HOUSE FINCH: 1, 3-4, 7, 19, 22, 30
     AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1-9, 19-30
     HOUSE SPARROW: 1-8, 21, 26-30

MAMMALIAN
     WHITE-TAILED DEER: 3-4 (2), 5 (1♀ w/2 yearlings), 9 (1), 19 (2), 20 (1), 22 (4), 28 (1)
     FOX SQUIRREL: 2-5, 7-8, 21-24, 30
     EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 1-5, 7-8, 19-21

REPTILIAN
     NORTHERN PAINTED TURTLE: 1-8, 20-21, 23-27, 29
     RED-EARED SLIDER: 2 (1), 5 (1), 20-21 (1)
     SPINY SOFTSHELL TURTLE: 1 (1)

AMPHIBIAN
     AMERICAN TOAD: 1, 8, 19, 27
     BLANCHARD’S CRICKET FROG: 1
     AMERICAN BULLFROG: 1-8, 19-24, 30

LEPIDOPTERA
     BLACK SWALLOWTAIL: 1-7, 20-21, 26
     EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL: 1 (1), 3 (3), 4 (1), 6 (1)
     CABBAGE WHITE: 1-6, 8-9, 20-27, 29-30
     CLOUDED SULPHUR: 4, 23, 26-27, 29
     ORANGE SULPHUR: 1-9, 20-27, 29
     LITTLE YELLOW: 1-6, 8, 20-21, 23-24, 29
     EASTERN TAILED-BLUE: 1-3, 5-8, 23-24
     SUMMER AZURE: 23 (1)
     PEARL CRESCENT: 1-3, 5-6, 8, 20-27, 30
     PAINTED LADY: 26-27, 29
     RED ADMIRAL: 5, 20, 23-24
     COMMON BUCKEYE: 1-6, 8, 20-21, 23-26
     VICEROY: 1-5, 7-8, 20, 22, 24
     MONARCH: 1 (8), 2 (6), 3 (7), 4 (2), 5 (5), 6 (9), 7-8 (6), 9 (1), 20 (77+), 21 (49+), 22 (21+),
          23 (16), 24 (15), 25 (8), 26 (17), 27 (11), 28 (5), 30 (1)
     SIKVER-SPOTTED SKIPPER: 8 (1), 21 (1), 23 (2), 26-27 (1)
     COMMON CHECKERED-SKIPPER: 3 (1)
     LEAST SKIPPER: 1, 3
     FIERY SKIPPER: 1, 6, 20-21, 23, 26-27, 30
     PECK’S SKIPPER: 1, 8, 20, 22-23, 30
     SACHEM: 23-24, 26-27
     Skipper sp.: 5, 25
     HAWAIIAN BEET WEBWORM: 22 (1)
     CHICKWEED GEOMETER: 2, 7, 24
     WOOLLY BEAR (ISABELLA TIGER MOTH): 5, 23, 25-28
     YELLOW BEAR (Virginian Tiger Moth): 24, 26-27
     GREAT TIGER MOTH: 20 (1 caterpillar), 25 (1 caterpillar)
     CORN EARWORM MOTH: 24
Other “bears” (black, yellow, brown, golden, etc.) may be color variations of the Woolly Bear or other Arctiidae species:

ODONATE
     AMERICAN RUBYSPOT: 1 (2♂), 2-3 (3♂), 4 (1♂), 5 (4♂), 6 (2♂), 7 (1♂), 8 (5♂),
          9 (2♂ + 1♀), 19 (1♂), 20 (2♂ + 1♀), 21 (2♂), 22 (1♀), 30 (1)
     GREAT SPREADWING: 1 (4), 2-3 (1), 5-6 (1), 8 (2), 29 (5), 30 (1)
     BLUE-FRONTED DANCER: 1-3, 6, 8-9, 20-21, 29 (1)
     POWDERED DANCER: 2-4, 6-9, 20-21, 23-24
     DOUBLE-STRIPED BLUET: 1-3, 5, 8-9
     TULE BLUET: 21, 26
     FAMILIAR BLUET: 1-6, 8-9, 20-21, 23, 25-27, 29-30
     STREAM BLUET: 1-5, 24
     ORANGE BLUET: 2, 6-8, 26
     EASTERN FORKTAIL: 1-9, 20-24, 26, 29
     COMMON GREEN DARNER: 1-8, 21, 23-24, 27, 29 (1)
     “Blue Mosaic” Darner sp.: 22, 26 (3), 29 (2)
     Darner sp.: 19, 28
     PRINCE BASKETTAIL: 20 (1)
     EASTERN PONDHAWK: 1, 6, 24, 26
     WIDOW SKIMMER: 1-6, 8, 20, 22-23
     COMMON WHITETAIL: 1-6, 8-9
     TWELVE-SPOTTED SKIMMER: 8, 24
     BLUE DASHER: 1-2, 4, 20-21
     WANDERING GLIDER: 4, 6, 20-21, 23, 26
     EASTERN AMBERWING: 1, 8 (2), 9 (1), 20, 22, 23
     VARIEGATED MEADOWHAWK: 22, 25-27, 29
     CHERRY-FACED MEADOWHAWK: 21, 25-27, 29-30
     BAND-WINGED MEADOWHAWK: 1-3, 26
     AUTUMN MEADOWHAWK: 20 (1), 26-27
     Meadowhawk sp.: 1-5, 7-8, 21, 24-27, 29-30
     BLACK SADDLEBAGS: 2-7, 21, 24, 27

ORTHOPTERA
     CAROLINA GRASSHOPPER: 1-9, 19-24, 26-27, 29-30
     NORTHWESTERN RED-WINGED GRASSHOPPER: 1
Wolf. Oesterreich

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Oct 3, 2016: Yellow-collared Scape Moth


Yellow-collared Scape Moths (Cisseps fulvicollis) are seen in Summer and Fall.  They consume nectar from milkweeds and composites and range from southern Canada to the Gulf states. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 9/30/16)

Monday, October 3, 2016

Oct 2, 2016: Black-capped Chickadee


A favorite visitor to our feeders, Black-capped Chickadees can be found throughout the Park. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/2/16)

Oct 1, 2016: Great Egret


Up close to a Great Egret. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 9/28/16)