From Bob

Saturday morning I escaped the morning news of political jabs from both sides, the ominous stock market, the busy coming and goings of a Saturday morning in Ames, and instead retreated to one of the greatest treasures we have.....Ada Hayden Heritage Park. It was formerly two large gravel pits, but has been transformed, restored, and enhanced into one of the most beautiful ecological parks in the state. It has many hiking and bike trails, offers light boating and fishing, and is a wonderful place to commune with nature.

While sitting near a frog pond I saw a lone pelican come scouting across my location. He was so low I could hear the whoosh of his wings! There were honking Canadian Geese telling every one within a mile they were coming in for a water landing. A Coopers Hawk was circling about looking for some breakfast, and prior to that he had been standing sentry duty atop a picnic shelter. There were gorgeous reflections in the larger part of the lake and delicate Milkweed pods spewing their silky threads and seeds, while not far away some smaller Milkweed pods were covered with Milk Weed Bugs, still clinging near one another after a chilly Friday night.. Near the pond were some lovely yellow Evening Primrose, purple Wild Asters with honey bees working furiously to get their quota of pollen and nectar before returning to the hive.

Both the Leopard frog with its spots, and the Bullfrog with its bulging eyes were cautiously checking me out as we stared at one another, they being curious, and I loving their large expressive movements! Near them were two young Catfish enjoying the warmth of the morning sun. It was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. It refreshed my soul, and the aches in my shoulder and knees were not noticeable for those precious minutes on the shores of Ada Hayden Lake.

Reflections of Ada Hayden Lake
Click any picture to Embiggen.

Milk Weed pod and spewing seeds

Evening Primrose

Wild Asters

Milk Weed Bugs on a seed pod

Trio of Canadian Honkers!

Coopers Hawk standing sentry duty on a picnic shelter

Coopers Hawk looking for breakfast

Young Catfish thriving in the pond

Leopard Frog

Bullfrog

Bob was in an accident with his bike and has been in a lot of pain. He has had to cancel a couple of trips that he and wife Suzanne had planned. We wish him well and thank him for this offering. As always a beautiful job and I know it took a lot of effort as his shoulder was just one of his "injured parts." So send good thoughts his way. j