Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Nov 30, 2016: November 2016 Photo Collage


November 2016 photos from the blog by Wolf. Oesterreich, Kevin Kane, R.J. Gardner, and Paul Domoto.

Nov 29, 2016: Ducks on Foggy Lake


Ducks gather near feeding area in the southeast corner of the south lake. (Kevin Kane, photoedit, 11/3/15)

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Nov 28, 2016: Autumn Wetlands


A SE to S view across the north wetlands complex, as seen from the NW corner of the Upland Trail (under overcast conditions). (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/25/16)

Nov 27, 2016: Mallard

Mallard on south shore of south lake. (Kevin Kane, photo edit, 11/3/16)

Nov 26, 2016: Flying


Paul Domoto, 11/24/16

Monday, November 28, 2016

Nov 25, 2016: Duckweed on the Pond

Duckweed, mixed in with some algae, concentrated along the east shore of Jensen Pond. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/24/16)

Nov 24, 2016: Cooper's Hawk


I find it amazing how Cooper's Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks can dive into bushes after prey and come out unscathed.  You may find one hunting your yards.  This is an immature Cooper's Hawk. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/24/16)

Nov 23, 2016: Autumn Reflections


Tree and cloud reflections on the waters of the north lake's west bay (NW corner). (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/7/16)

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Nov 22, 2016: Bluff on Foggy Morning


(Kevin Kane, 11/03/16)

Nov 21, 2016: Stocking Rainbow Trout


 Fishing for Rainbow Trout in Ames (Roger Riley WHO-HD)

AMES, Iowa- Cold weather did not stop dozens of fishermen in search of a Rainbow Trout catch.
The Iowa DNR Friday stocked the Ada Hayen Lake north of Ames with 2400 Rainbow Trout.

more at: http://whotv.com/2016/11/18/urban-trout-stocking-comes-to-ada-hayden-lake-in-ames/

Nov 20, 2016: Northslope


An eastward view along the north slope, as viewed from the NW corner of the Upland Trail.  More of the new houses are now visible. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/20/16)

Nov 19, 2016: Autumn Pelican


This single pelican was a hit with park visitors during its visit in early November. (Kevin Kane, 11/8/16)

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Nov 18, 2016: South Lake


A NW view across the south lake, from the spillway and towards the bluff area. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/10/16)
 
Ed. K.Kane - as the trees lose their leaves the presence of the new housing to the north is more and more noticeable.

Nov 17, 2016: Still Reflection


The bluff area reflected onto the south lake. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/7/16)

Nov 16, 2016: Looking Down at the Sky


Clouds in the sky at Ada Hayden Lake. It is a reflection off the smoothest water I could find. I titled it "Looking down at the sky," because of that reflection. Though you'd want to see it. The give-away is in the upper left corner, where a small ripple appears. (R.J. Gardner, 11/1/16)

Nov 15, 2016: Another Double-crested Cormorant

(R.J Gardner, 9/23/16)

Nov 14, 2016: Double-crested Cormorant


A Double-crested Cormorant leaving a wake on the south lake. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/5/16)

Nov 13, 2016: Paraglider Practice


A paraglider practices his footwork on the north slope. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/6/16)

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Nov 12, 2016: The Lone Pelican

A lone pelican on the north lake. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/7/16)

Nov 11, 2016: American Toad


A cold American Toad slowly made its way across the trail. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/26/16)

Nov 10, 2016: Wolf's October 2016 Wildlife Report


This Great Egret is poised to strike (along north lake's north shore). (Wolf Oesterreich, 10/14/16)

A total of 92 (+ 2 sp.) avian species was recorded this month, ranking this month as the 6th highest October (tied with October 2010) among 19 years of records.  October 2007 with 108 species remains as the highest October, while October 2003 with 55 species remains as the lowest.

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 Green Heron sighting on the 29th may represent a new extreme late Fall record for Story County (old record set on 23 Oct 1985 at Ames).  The single Least Flycatcher sighting on the 2nd and single Magnolia Warbler on the 9th may also represent new late extreme Fall records (former records set on 26 Sep 2006 at Ada Hayden HP and 1 Oct 1987 at Brookside Park / 1 Oct 2015 at Ada Hayden HP, respectively). 

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, 6-20, 22-31
     WOOD DUCK: 1 (3), 2-4, 6-11, 12 (21+), 13 (8+), 14 (3), 15 (7), 16 (1), 17 (2), 18 (8), 19 (6),
          20, 22 (5), 23 (1), 24 (3), 25 (6), 27 (4), 28 (1), 29-30 (5), 31 (2)
     GADWALL: 12 (6), 13 (1♂), 16 (16), 17 (11+), 18-19 (3), 22 (1), 23 (13), 24 (7), 29 (1)
     AMERICAN WIGEON: 12 (1), 15 (1), 18 (3), 23 (1), 24 (2), 25 (5), 26 (4), 28 (2), 29 (4),
          30 (7), 31 (3)
     MALLARD: 1-20, 22-31
     BLUE-WINGED TEAL: 4 (5), 5 (1), 6 (9), 7 (151+), 8 (29+), 9 (4), 10 (3), 11 (11+), 13 (1),
          14 (3), 17 (10+), 18 (5+), 19 (3), 28 (2)
     NORTHERN SHOVELER: 3 (3), 5 (2), 6 (5), 7 (7), 13 (1♀), 14-15 (2), 17 (2), 18 (13), 22 (4),
          27 (1), 28 (3♂ + 5♀), 29 (24), 30 (5), 31 (10)
     NORTHERN PINTAIL: 3-4 (2♀), 7 (1), 13 (1♀), 14 (3♂ + 4♀), 17 (1♂), 18 (2♂ + 1♀),
          19 (2♂), 22 (1♂), 24 (3), 25 (4♂ + 2♀), 26 (7♂ + 4♀), 28 (6♂ + 3♀), 29 (5♂ + 1♀),
          30 (8♂ + 4♀), 31 (2♂ + 1♀)
     GREEN-WINGED TEAL: 7 (1), 8 (2), 30 (2), 31 (5)
     REDHEAD: 26 (1♂)
     RING-NECKED DUCK: 24 (5), 29 (1♀)
     LESSER SCAUP: 30 (12)
     RUDDY DUCK: 7 (1), 12 (1♀), 16 (4), 23 (4♂ + 1♀)
     RING-NECKED PHEASANT: 2, 4-8, 14-15, 20, 22, 25, 26 (3), 29
     PIED-BILLED GREBE: 1-4 (1), 6 (7), 7 (8), 8 (5), 9-10 (4), 11 (6), 12 (9), 13 (16), 14 (4),
          15 (6), 16 (4), 17 (9), 18 (6), 19 (44), 20 (2), 22 (5), 23 (3), 24 (13), 25 (8), 26 (7), 28 (3),
          29 (5), 30 (9), 31 (7)
     DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 6 (3), 10 (1), 11 (3), 17 (3), 19 (1)
     AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 1-2 (1), 3 (19), 4 (2), 8 (1), 10 (1), 25 (54)
     AMERICAN BITTERN: 23 (1), 25-28 (1)
     GREAT BLUE HERON: 1 (5), 2 (4), 3 (5), 4 (3), 5 (4), 6 (6), 7 (5), 8 (3), 9-10 (5), 11 (4),
          12 (3), 13 (2), 15 (1), 16 (2), 18-19 (2), 22-24 (2), 25-26 (3), 28-31 (2)
     GREAT EGRET: 1 (2), 3-5 (2), 6 (8), 7-9 (2), 10-11 (1), 12 (3), 13-15 (2), 16 (1), 17-19 (2),
          22-23 (1), 25 (1), 27-30 (1)
     GREEN HERON: 23 (1), 29 (1)
     BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: 7 (1 ad)
     TURKEY VULTURE: 1 (1), 2 (3), 3-4 (4), 7 (1), 8 (3), 9 (4), 10 (2), 11 (1), 13 (1), 15 (2),
          16 (1), 18-19 (1)
     OSPREY: 9 (1), 11 (1)
     BALD EAGLE: 23 (1 im)
     NORTHERN HARRIER: 9 (1♀)
     SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: 23 (1), 26 (1)
     COOPER’S HAWK: 6 (1 ad), 17 (1 ad), 23 (1), 27 (1), 29 (1), 31 (1)
     RED-TAILED HAWK: 2 (1), 4 (1), 7 (1), 11-15 (1), 18 (1), 25 (2), 27-28 (1), 31 (1)
     AMERICAN COOT: 3 (35+), 4 (11), 5 (5), 7 (18+), 8 (9), 9 (22+), 10 (33+), 11 (55+),
          12 (42+), 13 (29+), 14 (22+), 15 (17+), 16 (14+), 17 (65+), 18 (57+), 19 (14+), 20 (2),
          22 (24+), 23 (28+), 24 (24+), 25 (38+), 26 (37+), 27 (22+), 28 (29+), 29 (48+), 30 (31+),
          31 (21+)
     KILLDEER: 4 (1), 6 (3), 11 (4), 14 (1), 16 (1), 18 (4), 29 (1)
     BONAPARTE’S GULL: 30 (9)
     FRANKLIN’S GULL: 1 (125-200), 2, 7 (3), 8 (53+), 14 (1)
     RING-BILLED GULL: 1 (5+), 2, 16 (6), 19 (2), 23 (2), 25 (1)
     EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: 1 (3), 10 (2)
     MOURNING DOVE: 3-6, 19 (1), 22 (1), 29 (1)
     BELTED KINGFISHER: 1-4 (1), 7-12 (1), 15 (1), 17-20 (1), 23 (1)
     RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: 13, 25, 31 (3)
     YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: 11 (1), 17 (1)
     DOWNY WOODPECKER: 1-3, 5-6, 9, 11, 13, 15-17, 23, 25-27, 29-30
     HAIRY WOODPECKER: 14 (2), 15 (1), 17 (1), 19 (1)
     NORTHERN FLICKER (Yellow-shafted): 1 (2), 5 (1), 8 (2), 11-12 (1), 17-18 (1)
     falcon sp.:19 (1)
     LEAST FLYCATCHER: 2 (2)
     EASTERN PHOEBE: 1 (2), 4 (2), 6-7 (1), 11-15 (1), 16-17 (2)
     NORTHERN SHRIKE: 25 (1)
     BLUE-HEADED VIREO: 1-2 (1)
     BLUE JAY: 1-2, 5-13, 15, 17-18, 20, 22-25, 29-31
     AMERICAN CROW: 1-13, 15-19, 23-31
     TREE SWALLOW: 2 (3), 3-7, 9-10, 11 (34+)
     BARN SWALLOW: 1-11
     BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE: 1-2, 4-20, 23-31
     RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 2 (1), 10 (1)
     WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH: 1-2, 5, 9-17, 24-29, 31
     HOUSE WREN: 1 (2), 7 (1)
     WINTER WREN: 1 (2), 24-25 (1)
     SEDGE WREN: 1 (2)
     MARSH WREN: 29 (1)
     GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET: 2 (2), 9 (1), 15-16 (1), 18 (1)
     RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: 1 (1), 8 (2), 9 (1), 10 (7), 11 (4), 12 (1), 13 (3), 14 (1), 16 (1),
          17 (7+), 18 (6), 23 (1), 25 (2)
     EASTERN BLUEBIRD: 4 (~12), 7 (1), 14 (2), 16, 23 (6), 25 (4), 30
     HERMIT THRUSH: 1-2 (1), 12 (1), 18 (1), 26 (1), 29 (1)
     AMERICAN ROBIN: 1-20, 22-31
     GRAY CATBIRD: 1-2, 6 (1), 12 (1), 16 (1)
     EUROPEAN STARLING: 1, 4, 6, 11-12, 17, 19-20, 25-26, 29-31
     CEDAR WAXWING: 1 (3), 2, 6 (20+), 8 (12+), 9 (3+), 11 (8+), 13 (3), 14 (2), 15 (12),
          16 (5+), 18 (78+), 19 (9+), 22 (12), 25 (35+), 26 (11+), 29 (41+), 31 (19+)
     ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER: 1 (1), 6-7 (2), 8-9 (1), 10-11 (2), 12-13 (1), 15 (1), 16 (2)
     NASHVILLE WARBLER: 2 (1)
     COMMON YELLOWTHROAT: 1, 9 (2)
     MAGNOLIA WARBLER: 9 (1)
     PALM WARBLER: 12 (2)
     YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (Myrtle): 1 (7), 2 (3), 3 (1), 6 (5+), 8 (5+), 9-10 (4), 11 (9+),
          14 (12+), 15 (8+), 16 (1), 17 (5+), 18 (3), 19 (1)
     AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: 24 (4+), 25 (2), 26 (3), 29 (3), 30 (7), 31 (4+)
     CHIPPING SPARROW: 2 (1), 14 (~12), 26 (15+)
     FIELD SPARROW: 11 (1), 22 (1)
     LE CONTE’S SPARROW: 1 (1)
     FOX SPARROW: 9 (2), 12 (1), 15-16 (1), 19 (1), 24 (1), 25 (2), 27 (1), 29 (5), 31 (1)
     SONG SPARROW: 1-3, 4 (2), 5-7, 9-11, 12 (15+), 13 (5+), 14 (2), 15 (3), 16 (7), 17 (5),
          18-19 (3), 20 (1), 22 (5), 23 (3), 24 (10), 25 (3), 26 (2), 27 (5), 28 (3), 29 (16+), 30 (3),
          31 (8)
     LINCOLN’S SPARROW: 1 (3), 2 (2), 4 (1), 10 (1), 11 (2), 17 (2), 22 (1), 24 (2), 31 (1)
     SWAMP SPARROW: 1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (3), 4 (2), 6 (2), 9 (2), 12 91), 14 (1), 15 (2), 16 (1),
          25 (2), 27 (1), 29-31 (1)
     WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: 1-2 (7+), 4-5 (2), 6 (4), 7 (6+), 8 (1), 9 (11+), 10 (12+),
         11 (14+), 12 (3), 13 (15+), 15 (1), 16 (7), 17 (9+), 18 (13+), 24 (2), 26 (1), 27 (3), 29 (2)
     HARRIS’S SPARROW: 3-4 (1), 9 (2), 10-11 (1), 13-14 (1), 17 (9+), 18 (6+), 19 (1), 24 (2),
          27 (2), 29 (9), 30 (2), 31 (1)
     WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW: 1 (1), 2 (4), 3 (1), 8 (2), 10 (8), 11-12 (8+), 13 (4+), 14 (1),
          15 (4), 16 (3), 17 (10+), 18 (4+), 19 (2), 22 (4), 23 (1), 24 (3), 25 (2), 29-30 (1)
     DARK-EYED JUNCO (Slate-colored): 12 (2), 13 (1), 19 (5), 20 (1), 22 (2), 23-24 (1), 25 (10),
          26 (13+), 27 (7+), 29 (9+), 30 (2), 31 (8+)
     NORTHERN CARDINAL: 2-3, 6, 8, 10, 12-13, 18-19, 26, 29-30
     RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD: 2-7, 9-14, 17-19, 22-25, 26 (8+), 28-30, 31 (3)
     meadowlark sp. 29 (1)
     RUSTY BLACKBIRD: 25 (3), 28 (1), 31 (4)
     COMMON GRACKLE: 29 (1)
     BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD: 29 (3)
     HOUSE FINCH: 2, 6-7, 19-20, 25-26, 29-31
     PURPLE FINCH: 17 (4♀)
     AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: 1-19, 22-27, 29-31
     HOUSE SPARROW: 1-19, 22-31

MAMMALIAN
     AMERICAN MINK: 22 (1)
     RACCOON: 4 (1)
     WHITE-TAILED DEER: 3 (2), 18 (3), 20 (1), 30 (5)
     FOX SQUIRREL: 1-2, 5-7, 9-11, 13, 17, 19, 24, 27, 30-31
     EASTERN CHIPMUNK: 2, 26 (1)
     EASTERN COTTONTAIL: 1-2, 5, 9, 15, 20, 23, 31

REPTILIAN
     gartersnake sp.: 2 (1), 5 (1), 7 (1), 10 (1), 15 (1) (slithered off too fast for me to see where
          the lateral line was located: Plains = 3rd & 4th row, Eastern = 2nd & 3rd row)
     NORTHERN PAINTED TURTLE: 1 (3), 2-9, 11, 13 (2), 14 (1), 15 (5), 16 (21), 17 (9+), 19 (1),
          22 (9), 23 (19+), 24-25 (1), 28 (7)
     RED-EARED SLIDER: 7 (1), 9 (1), 13 (1), 16-17 (1), 23 (1)

AMPHIBIAN
     AMERICAN TOAD: 26 (1)
     AMERICAN BULLFROG: 1, 5-7, 16 (2), 17-18, 19 (1), 22-24, 27-28, 29 (30+), 20 (10+),
          31 (10)
     NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG: 23 (1), 29 (1)

LEPIDOPTERA
     CABBAGE WHITE: 1-3, 6-9, 11, 14 (1), 16-17 (1)
     ORANGE SULPHUR: 1-2, 5-11, 14-15 (1), 16 (10+), 17 (1), 22 (4), 23-24 (3)
     LITTLE YELLOW: 1-2, 9 (2), 17-18 (1)
     Sulphur sp.: 11 (1), 13 (1), 16 (5+), 27 (2)
     PEARL CRESCENT: 2, 4-9, 11, 25 (1)
     EASTERN COMMA: 11 (1), 16 (2), 17 (1), 22 (3), 24 (3), 27 (1)
     PAINTED LADY: 7, 22 (1)
     COMMON BUCKEYE: 1-2, 7-8, 9 (1), 16 (1), 22 (1), 24 (1)
     MONARCH: 1 (3), 2 (2), 5 (1), 6 (5), 8-10 (1), 16 (4), 23 (1)
     FIERY SKIPPER: 2, 5
     PECK’S SKIPPER: 6
     SACHEM: 8 (1), 9 (4), 10 (1), 11 (4), 22 (3), 27 (1)
     Skipper sp.: 11 (1), 17 (3)
     WOOLLY BEAR (Isabella Tiger Moth): 1, 5, 7-10, 11, 13-14, 16-17, 23-25, 27-28, 31
     SALT MARSH MOTH caterpillar: 5 (1), 6 (3), 10 (1), 13-14 (1), 16 (2), 18 (1), 24 (1)
     YELLOW BEAR (Virginian Tiger Moth): 1
     YELLOW-COLLARED SCAPE MOTH: 9 (1)
     CELERY LOOPER: 1
     CATTAIL CATERPILLAR (Henry’s Marsh Moth): 17 (1)
     LARGE YELLOW UNDERWING caterpillar: 4 (1)

Other “bears” (black, yellow, brown, golden, etc.) may be color variations of the Woolly Bear or
     other Arctiidae species:

ODONATA
     AMERICAN RUBYSPOT: 1 (4♂ + 2♀)
     GREAT SPREADWING: 2 (1♂), 4 (3♂), 5 (1♂ + 1♀), 6 (1♂), 9 (1), 13 (1♂), 16 (1♂ + 1♀),
          18 (2)
     POWDERED DANCER: 2, 11 (2)
     TULE BLUET: 5, 7
     FAMILIAR BLUET: 1-2, 5-9, 11 (1), 13 (1)
     EASTERN FORKTAIL: 2, 7 (1♂)
     COMMON GREEN DARNER: 2, 5-8, 9 (2), 11 (1), 13 (2), 16-17 (1), 22 (2), 24 (1)
     “Blue Mosaic” DARNER sp.: 1 (1), 8 (1)
     darner sp.: 3 (2), 4 (1), 12 (1), 13 (2), 15 (2), 16 (1)
     WANDERING GLIDER: 2
     VARIEGATED MEADOWHAWK: 1, 13 (1), 24 (1), 27 (1)
     CHERRY-FACED MEADOWHAWK: 1-2, 4-9, 13
     WHITE-FACED MEADOWHAWK: 5 (1♀), 6-9, 11
     RUBY MEADOWHAWK: 11 (1♂)
     BAND-WINGED MEADOWHAWK: 1, 7
     AUTUMN MEADOWHAWK: 7, 9-10, 19 (1), 27 (1)
     meadowhawk sp.: 1-2, 4-5, 7, 10, 13 (20+), 14 (3), 16 (1), 19 (1), 23 (1), 24 (5), 25 (2),
          27 (3), 29 (4)
     BLACK SADDLEBAGS: 7 (1)

ORTHOPTERA
     NORTHWESTERN RED-WINGED GRASSHOPPER: 2
     CAROLINA GRASSHOPPER: 2, 5, 7-9, 11, 16-18, 22-23
     RED-LEGGED GRASSHOPPER: 7-8
Wolf. Oesterreich

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Nov 9, 2016: Autumn Sunrise


Sunrise over the south lake (& its west bay). (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/5/16)

Nov 8, 2016: Can I Play?


A lone pelican hopes to blend in with a flotilla of geese on the north lake. (Kevin Kane, 11/8/16)

Nov 7, 2016: Pearl Crescent


These warm November days have resulted in a few butterflies, such as this Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), found at the bluff. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/3/16)

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Nov 6, 2016: American Bittern

An American Bittern as seen at Pond J on 4 out of 5 days in late October. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/27/16)

Nov 5, 2016: Morning Mallards


A male and female mallard along the south shore of the south lake. (Kevin Kane, 11/3/16)

Nov 4, 2016: Autumn Sunrise


The sun rises over the south lake (& west bay).  [The "black dot" on water is a Pied-billed Grebe.] (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/29/16)

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Nov 3, 2016: Kayaking on a Foggy Morning


A kayaker moves through the fog on the south lake early Thursday morning. (Kevin Kane, 11/3/16)

Nov 2, 2016: Clouds

Clouds began to move in from the SW while biking along the Upland Trail.  (a composite photo) (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/1/16)

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Nov 1, 2016: Color on the Pond

More fall color at Jensen Pond (looking to the NE corner). (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/27/16)