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Raptors of the Midwest by Ty Smedes

  • Loess Hills Audubon Society 4500 Sioux River Road Sioux City, IA, 51109 United States (map)

While most Iowans may recognize our more common raptors, like the Red-tailed and Cooper’s Hawks, along with the Great-horned and Barred Owls, there are many other raptors that only occasionally nest in our state, along with many other species that pass through during migration or winter here. Join us for an educational presentation where you will learn about the hawks, falcons, eagles, owls, and vultures that live in Iowa or migrate through on their way to nesting or wintering areas. We’ll discuss their physical characteristics as well as identifying the habitat they prefer for nesting and rearing their young. Intimate colorful photos of birds sitting and on the wing will entertain and help with identification.  

Ty’s photos have been published by many major magazines and book publishers. He specializes in landscape, wildlife, and prairie wildflower images. As a feature writer for the Iowa DNR’s Iowa Outdoors Magazine, his goal is to write and photograph about many of the lesser known birds, animals, and places. Ty has taught nature photography classes and is as an experienced Photo-Tour leader, having led nature photography tours to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, as well as the Eastern Sierras, during the fall season. He was also co-leader of a nature photography tour to Brazil in 1996 and has led nature photography tours to East Africa in 2005, 2008, and 2010; Botswana in 2006, 2013, and 2014; and Zambia in 2016. Antarctic and near Antarctic travel includes the Falklands, South Georgia Island, and the Antarctic Peninsula in 2014, with a return trip to South Georgia Island in 2015. A tour of West Papua New Guinea followed in 2017. Information regarding Ty’s three books - Capturing Iowa’s Seasons, The Return of Iowa’s Bald Eagles – 2nd Edition, and Iowa’s Wild Beauty can be found on his website at www.smedesphoto.com .

LHAS Board Meeting begins at 6:00 PM with Ty’s program beginning at 7:00 PM.

The Loess Hills Audubon Society exists to educate individuals and the public to enjoy and promote birding, to support ornithology and to be an advocate for wild areas and environmental issues. The Loess Hills Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society.

Merlin (prairie race) photo coutesy Ty Smedes, copyright 2022, used with permission.

Earlier Event: September 10
Warblers and Raptors at Stone State Park
Later Event: October 15
Fall Migration at Ponca State Park