Big Bluestem Flyer
Newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Volume 38, Number 5
Programs
May 15
Lynne Brookes & Derrick Grimmer
“Mono Lake: Creation, Salvation and the
Eternal Struggle, or, Lessons in Preservation
Activism.”
Unique Mono Lake on the east side of the Sierras
supports millions of water critters and migrating
birds. Seeing danger of being drained like Owens
Lake, California, activitists organized and forced a
compromise. This presentation include video,
posters, maps and hand-outs describing this rare
ecosystem, the threats to it, and the effective
organizing that is saving it from desertification.
The presenters are BBS members who visited
Mono Lake in 2001, talked with activist association
members, and brought back a video and other
materials to share with BBAS.
Program meetings are held monthly, September-May on
the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm, Room
2226 Veterinary Medicine Building, Iowa State
University, Ames, Iowa.
If you would like to meet and dine with the speaker and
the BBAS Board before the monthly meeting, please
contact John Snyder to confirm space and location at
515-232-8824 or jesnyder@ix.netcom.com
In This Issue
Page 2 Officers and Committees
President’s Column
Page 3 Oak Forest Feeders
Karl’s Backyard
Meetz Prairie Winds
Page 4 Field trip reports
Northern Visitor
Young Naturalists Camp
May/June 2003
Field Trips
May
10 Bird-a-thon. Join Audubon's all-day birding
and fundraising event. Prizes will be awarded.
Contact Karl Jungbluth for more information (515-
432-5057).
16-18 FYI. Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Spring
Meeting in Waterloo .
24 Colo Ponds. Meet at the cannon at the
former Story County Courthouse in Nevada at 8:00.
Trip Leader: Hank Zaletel (515-382-5427).
June
7 Annual Birder’s Brunch at Ledges State
Park (Boone Co.). Meet in the upper Ledges at 8:00
am. We’ll bird as we hike down the hill and have
brunch in the lower Ledges. Please bring a food
item to share.
Unless otherwise indicated, regular field trips leave
promptly at 8:00 am from the public parking lot west
of (behind) the Ames Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU),
located south of the railroad tracks at 213 Duff Ave. Trip
destinations are subject to change based on recent rare
bird sightings and the desires of the participants.
Contact Jeff Nichols for more information at
515-795-4176 or jnichols1961@hotmail.com
Page 5 Jim Dinsmore’s Olav Smedal Award
Page 6 Iowa Prairie Conference
New Members
Birdathon Reminder
Page 7 Bird Survey at Chichaqua Bottoms
Membership Form
Coupons
Page 8 Hallett’s Quarry Photo Exhibit
 Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Officers and Committees
Officers
President: John Pohlman 232-6816 pohlman@city.ames.ia.us
Vice-President: Linda Thomas 292-7534 wbuames@mcleodusa.net
Secretary: [vacant]
Treasurer: Donna Flanagan 268-0458 ddflana@iastate.edu
Board Members
Bruce Ehresman 296-2995 behresma@opencominc.com
Jeff: Nichols 795-4176 jnichols1961@hotmail.com
Maridel Jackson 515-964-0140 mpwj410@covad.net
Wolfgang Oesterreich 515-232-3285 (h) wolf@iastate.edu
Matt Wetrich 956-4299 mwetrich@iastate.edu
Committee Chairs
Archivist: Hank Zaletel 382-427 madowl@midiowa.net
Bird-a-thon Co-chairs: Karl and Carmen Jungbluth, 432-5057
weatherbird.opencominc.com
Conservation Chair: Bruce Ehresman 296-2995
behresma@opencominc.com
Education Chair: Ida Johnson 233-4831 iwindj@aoLcom
Field Trip Chair: Jeff Nichols jnichols1961@hotmail.com
Membership Chair: Al Johnson 233-4831 awindj@aol. com
Program Chair: John Snyder 232-8824 jesnyder@ix.netcom.com
Publicity Chair: Linda Thomas 292-7534 wbuames@mcleodusa.net
Publications & Electronic Media Co-Chairs: David Edwards 292-3790
dcejce@qwest.net and Joyce Bahrenfus 275-3263 jbahren@netins.net
BBAS Web Site: http://www.wyalusing.org/BBAS.htm
Iowa Bird Sightings Hotline 319-338-9881
Wildlife Care Clinic 515-294-4900
The mission of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society to
enjoy the observation and study of birds and natural
ecosystems, contribute to their conservation and
restoration, engage in educational activities to benefit
humanity, and gain a broader understanding and deeper
appreciation of the world we live in.
Northern Shoveler
Steven D’Amato
Nothing wholly admirable ever
happens in this country
except the migration or birds.
Brooks Atkinson
2 Big Bluestem Flyer
President’s Column
Often someone will ask me a particular detail about
birds. You know, questions like, “Why don’t the gold-
finches eat from their feeder?” or “Where do bluebirds
go in the winter?” When I explain I am really not sure,
they comment, “But I thought you are in Audubon?”
That gives me the opportunity to explain Audubon is a
whole lot more than birds. Just take a look at our mis-
sion statement on this page. Its focus is birds and also
includes words such as natural ecosystems, conserva-
tion, educational activities, broader understanding and
a deeper appreciation. These are words we can all sup-
port.
It is the mission that ultimately drives the Big Blue-
stem Board. This is why we plan field trips taking us
to places like Holst State Forest to search skies,
grasses, and branches for finches and sparrows in
January. And why we venture to Dunbar Slough in
Greene County to observe waterfowl and their habitat.
Of course we have our annual Christmas Bird Count
and the Birdathon to add fun and enjoyment.
Education is part of the mission, and Big Bluestem
has brought Audubon Adventures to thousands of ele-
mentary students in the central Iowa region. We hope
to spark an interest in our natural ecosystems in the
next generation. In recent years we have funded schol-
arships for 5th and 6th graders to attend the Young
Naturalists Camp at the Y-Camp northwest of Boone.
And we will do it again this year. I have to mention we
are enlightened and entertained by the Bird of the
Month Program and to all of the great speakers pre-
senting educational programs planned September
through May each year.
Big Bluestem is involved with conservation issues
such as Harrier Marsh expansion, Colo Ponds, Keller-
ton prairie chicken re-introduction, Mortensen Mounds
and many other conservation and preservation pro-
jects over the years.
If you would like to help to provide leadership in Big
Bluestem, continue work on its mission, and are inter-
ested in joining the board, please contact me. I encour-
age your active participation, and Big Bluestem needs
your commitment.
I want to especially thank Karl and Carmen
Jungbluth, and Mary Doud and Jeff Nichols for
holding a Rummage Sale for the Birds. Carmen and
Jeff came up with this idea and with their relatively
impromptu plan, they had a very successful event,
raising over $600 for Big Bluestem. Thanks goes to
Linda Thomas who pr ovided advertising and to Ida
Johnson, Wolf Oesterreich, and Matt Wetrich who
helped staff the sale. Thanks to all who provided sale
items and to all of the bargain hunters who made wise
purchases.
John Pohlman
May/June 2003
 Karl’s Backyard
North edge of Ledges SP—Boone County
It’s that time of year when every new bud and leaf is
beautiful, with a promise of blossoms to come. The plum
trees are flowering, which seems a couple of weeks early
based upon my 9 years of experience in Boone county.
A variety of sparrows are appearing in the yard. After
six inches of wet snow on April 7th, sixteen Fox Sparrows
joined the Juncos. They stayed for several days. I
cleared a few patches of snow and scattered some seed.
Carmen saw over a hundred Red-wing Blackbirds, some
grackles and cowbirds, plus a Rusty Blackbird all
crammed in a few square feet!
An immature White-throated Sparrow and a Harris’s
Sparrow spent the winter near our yard. I’ve seen a few
more Harris’s lately, and today a couple of classic White-
throated Sparrows appeared with their black and white
striped crown. Around dinner time tonight, they were
joined by two Field Sparrows, a couple of Lincoln’s
Sparrows, a Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrows and a
couple dozen Juncos.
House Sparrows, Bluebirds and several Tree Swallows
all want to claim the Bluebird box across the road. I’d
welcome two of the three. The Tree Swallows soared
and flew and vocalized all day Sunday.
Karl Jungbluth
Kirsten Munson
Downy Woodpecker
Oak Forest Feeders
Many of the transients common to this time of year
and some summer residents have arrived in these
middle weeks of April. A small group of three to seven
Fox Sparrows were working everyday and all day for a
week, scratching up every bit of debris from the side
yard. Most Dark-eyed Juncos moved on at the same time near a pair of Canada Geese walking along the pothole
as the Fox Sparrows in the midst of the days of hot south shoreline. Missing was the small flock of Snow Geese (a Ross’s
winds.
The usual three of four Worle Creek Turkey Vultures take their cue that it was time to head further north and beyond
are back, Wood Ducks are scouting nest holes, and a
Great Blue Heron seems interested in the valley. Today
a pair of Great Egrets have been quietly watching the
water, a first for our “yard” list. From the side woods
come sounds of woodpeckers quietly excavating this
year’s nest holes.
Several pair of European Starlings are starting to nest
in their usual holes high up in the oak trees. Does
anyone have an extendable pole, ideally at least 20 feet
long?
Dave and Jeanne Edwards
May/June 2003
Meetz Prairie Winds
Northeast of Ames a few miles
A flint and steel strike, and the help of two dozen
hands, so began the process of spring renewal. We had a
“Big Smoke” this past Saturday, finally firing the prairie
after numerous weather related delays. A strong east
wind and relative humidity around 22% proved to be fa-
vorable. Volunteers with backpack sprayers followed
others laying down a fire-line with drip torches backed
by three trucks with water tanks and pumps running.
Joe Kooiker’s sons stood by with water hoses and flap-
pers in their hands.
A slow back burn allows for more control and provides
an ever widening safety zone starved of highly volatile
fuel. As the flames increased and began crawling across
the ground, signs that animal life still inhabited the area
became increasingly evident. Safety is the primary rea-
son for our burn technique but also allows for critter es-
cape routes. Birds easily escape, usually flushing as the
flames crept towards a fence line or open area. Mammals
either run ahead of the flames or hide in their burrows.
On one occasion, a cottontail rabbit raced out ahead of
the flames, circled around us and headed back into the
blacked prairie just behind the fire line, stopping near
some burning branches that had fallen along the fence.
Steve Lekwa came close to having an intimate conver-
sation with a Stripped Skunk that “ran” toward Steve.
And David Villar, while using the drip torch, hesitated
momentarily as a group of five hen pheasants burst
forth less that three feet from where he stood.
The wind occasionally shifted during this burn and
tried to get away from us into adjacent fields more than
once, but overall it was a good burn.
We hardly had dropped our gear and met for refresh-
ment when Hank Zaletel briefly left the group to check
our tree row for our Fox and Harris’ Sparrows. Linda Z.
also pointed out a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet.
Within ten minutes a Red-Tailed Hawk perched on a
wooden fence post, male Red-Winged Blackbirds were
staking out their territory, Kildeer were running
through the ashes and a Greater Yellow-Legs flushed
among them) visiting until late that morning. They seemed to
the midwest prairie blooms.
Mike & Linda Meetz
Prairie Winds Burn
Photo courtesy of
Mike Meetz
Big Bluestem Flyer 3
 Field Trip Report
22 February, Lake Red Rock. Despite a less than
favorable forecast, thirteen participants arrived at the
parking lot behind Wild Birds Unlimited ready for a day
of Bald Eagle viewing. We made stops at the Lake Red
Rock visitors’ center and several locations south of the
dam. We saw more than 40 eagles. Other interesting
finds included an accipiter and several American Black
Ducks. We then drove into Pella to see presentations at
the Community Center on the eagles as well as a
program on owls. The presentations included live birds,
and both were quite interesting. After lunch in Pella and
a stop at Jaarsma’s Bakery, we started for home. A stop
at the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge en route was enjoyed
by all, and permitted some of us to satisfy our book -
buying needs before calling it a day.
Jeff Nichols
“We abuse the land because we regard it as a commodity
belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which
we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
Aldo Leopold
Northern visitor
In late December, while looking through the flock of
several hundred Canada Geese at Ada Hayden Heritage
Park, I saw one goose with an orange neck collar. The
goose was too far away to be able to read the code of
letters and numbers on its collar. However, a few days
later on 1 January, I saw what was almost certainly the
same bird at Mabaska Pond west of Ames and was able
to read the code: T 35. I reported this sighting to the US
Bird Banding Laboratory (a website at http://www.pwrc.
usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/recwobnd.htm makes it easy to
do so) and recently received some information about the
bird. The bird, a small Canada Goose sometimes called
the Hutchins form, commonly migrates through central
Iowa but seldom winters here. The bird was banded on
West Baffin Island in northern Canada on 17 August,
1996. It was identified as an adult female and was one of
171 birds that were banded at that time. I saw the bird
on 6 February and again on 11 March at Mabaska. I
was gone for about 10 days, and it was not there when I
returned on 24 March. I assume that it moved north
with the warm weather we had in mid March. Wonder if
it will come back to central Iowa next fall?
Jim Dinsmore
Newsletter Material Deadlines
This is the last newsletter for this BBAS season. We will begin again in September. Because we would like to
have the newsletter to each member before the first day of its coverage, the editor needs to have material at least
two weeks before that. Hence the next deadline, for the Sept./Oct. issue, will be the fifteenth of August.
4 Big Bluestem Flyer
Field Trip Report
15 March, Ada Hayden Heritage Park and Little
Wall Lake. “Plan A” was to explore the waterfowl
habitat of Greene Co, but after a short discussion, the
group decided to explore areas closer to home. We first
stopped at Ada Hayden Park and found a few Hooded
Mergansers. At Little Wall Lake, we spent most of our
time exploring the habitat around the margins of the
lake, as waterfowl in the open areas of the lake were
too far to see clearly. The temperatures were in the 70s
with a nice southerly breeze, but the lake was still
mostly frozen. Many geese and ducks were migrating
overhead, and we had great looks at large flocks of
Greater White-fronted Geese and a few Snow Geese.
We finished the day with 31 species.
Jeff Nichols
Photo by Jon & Joyce Bahrenfus
Young Naturalist Camp
for 5th and 6th grade boys and girls
The Des Moines YMCA is holding a Young
Naturalist Camp at the YCamp west of Boone,
August 4-9, for boys and girls who are currently in
5th and 6th grade. It is a week long workshop
where youth meet with professionals in
environmental education and conservation, along
with experiencing camp activities. Big Bluestem
is offering three $275 scholarships toward the
$325 cost of the camp. If you know of a 5th or 6th
grader with a strong interest in nature, contact
Education Chair Ida Johnson, 233-4831
iwindj@aol.com or Jeff Nichols 795-4176
jnichols1961@hotmail.com by May 30th.
May/June 2003
 Olav Smedal Conservation Award Jim was an active participant in the Save Hallett’s
Jim Dinsmore has been named as the 2002 Quarry campaign and continues to act as a consultant to
recipient of Olav Smedal Conservation Award. This the Ames Park and Recreation board on this issue.
award is sponsored by the Ames Chapter of the Izaak Jim has touched many with his knowledge.
Walton League of America. The selection of an
individual or group located in central Iowa is based on
recognition of his/her/their contribution to the public in
the field of natural resource conservation or other
outdoor pursuits reflecting the highest standards of American Coot
ethics and sportsmanship.
Among his many activities Jim has served on boards
and committees for professional societies (Iowa Chapter
of The Wildlife Society, American Ornithological
Society, Iowa Ornithologists’ Union) as well as many
conservation groups (faculty advisor to ISU Chapter of
Ducks Unlimited since 1987, Iowa Academy of Science,
Kirsten Munson
Iowa Audubon, The Nature Conservancy). Jim also
served as editor of “Iowa Bird Life” for 10 years and
still serves as the field reports compiler. Also of note,
Jim is always willing to serve as a presenter and share
his knowledge with various environmental and civic
groups. Birds and birding, mammalogy, and animal
ecology are just a few of his interests he is willing to
share even though he is now in retirement.
Jim has authored and co-authored 5 books: Iowa The Award
Birds, the Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas, Birds in Iowa, the The selection committee for the Olav Smedal
Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide, and A Country So Full of Conservation Award is composed of members of the Ames
Game. Chapter of the Izaak Walton League and Story County
Jim’s book, A Country So Full of Game, has arguably Conservation Board. The committee is especially
contributed more to Iowan’s knowledge of Iowa wildlife interested in recognizing those individuals or groups
than any other publication. A product of years of whose chief means of employment is work outside of the
painstaking research, his book reveals the history of “conservation field”. Consideration is given to the
wildlife species in Iowa, from the abundance our Euro- individual(s) who gives unselfishly of their free time and
American ancestors experienced here in the 1830’s voluntary efforts. All qualified nominees will be
through the destruction and carnage that ensued in the considered. If you would like to submit a nomination you
last half of the 1800’s resulting in the loss of habitat can do so by contacting the Story County Conservation
and the impacts on the elk, deer, prairie chickens, Board McFarland Park offices or the Ames Chapter of the
wolves, and other animal populations by the 1900’s. It Izaak Walton league, Box 148 Ames.
is as readable as it is carefully documented, an Past recipients of the Olav Smedal Conservation
excellent example of the merger of academic research Award include:
with good writing.
Humble, Jim is good natured and unassuming and
does not “toot his own horn”. He has gone out of his 1988 Dale Brentnall 1995 Jim Pease
way many times to help others by providing them with 1989 Bill Horine 1996 George Patrick
information and materials (teaching aids). With his
help and access to the University’s extensive animal 1990 Steve Lekwa 1997 Edwin Powell
ecology collections he has provided materials for many 1991 Nancy Kurrle 1998 Mike Meetz
local county conservation events. He has provided
support and materials for the Iowa Department of 1992 Cele Burnett 1999 Linda & Hank Zaletel
Natural Resources Youth Hunter Education events 1993 Dave Van Waus 2000 Erv Klaas
including the YHEC program. Jim has been involved
1994 Robert Pinneke 2001 Cindy Hildebrand
and been most helpful in Story County Master
Conservation Program, the Beginning Birder programs
and the SCC Owls program. He has appeared on WOI’s
Talk of Iowa to discuss Birds and Birdwatching. Mike Meetz with material by Jim Pease

May/June 2003 Big Bluestem Flyer 5

 The 9th Iowa Prairie Conference New Members
The Practical Prairie
Terri Abbett Ed Engle & Julie Larson
The Iowa Prairie Conference, hosted by the Iowa Pat Alberts Dean & Freida Lehman
Prairie Network, will be held the weekend of July 12th at Mark & Susan Ackelson Raveena Levis
the Iowa State Center Scheman Building on Iowa State Raymond & Delilah Ahrens Dorothy & Donald Lewis
University’s campus in Ames. The event promises Ron Andrews Cheryl Macvey
information for beginners and experts alike with Rich & D.K. Axtell Mary Jean Mathis
speakers ranging from prairie practitioners to academic Becker Bobetta & Michael
researchers. An icebreaker picnic Friday evening allows Lorraine Belluci Matthes
gathering attendees to begin the conference with an Mandy Brown Stan & Marlene Moffit
opportunity for networking. On Saturday, Dr. Ron Mike Carlson Woodrow & Betty Lou
Panzer, Northeastern Illinois University, and Dr. James Jerry & Susan Caswell Myers
Trager, Shaw Nature Reserve, Missouri Botanical Jane Clark Michael Myszewski
Garden, will deliver the keynote addresses on prairie Vernon Condon Ellen Nielsen
invertebrates. Highlighted concurrent sessions include Drew Ehresman Neal & Marjorie O'Brien
prairie management, land protection, soils, fauna, and Gary Forster David O'Brien
the benefits of urban prairies. A panel discussion on James Miller & Jennifer Larry & Verona Parr
prescribed burning issues will also be convened. Field Fraterrigo Scott & Peggy Peterson
trips will provide an opportunity to spend time with Peter Fritzell Ann Reed
prairie experts in some of central Iowa’s finest prairie Jon & Dorothy Gustafson George Roling
remnants and reconstructions. Conference attendees will Marilyn Greene Tom Rosburg
also have the opportunity to browse various vendor, Doug & Nina Harr Esther Rossman
organizational and educational displays. The day will Mary Jane & Richard Duane & Marilyn Sand
conclude with an evening banquet, followed by music Hatcher Bob & Jean Schaub
and an historic portrayal of Iowa-born Aldo Leopold, on e Jim & Pat Heukel Pat Schlarbaum
of the nation’s leading conservationists of the last Heidi Hohmann Peggy Smith
century. Sunday morning activities, including field trips, Lauren & Nancy Houseman Kay Snopek
complete the conference. Registration forms will be Ginny Jackson Dan & Beth Solomon
available May 1st . Register early to ensure the field trip Mary Jane Johnson Troy Thompson
of your choice. For additional information and Kevin Kane Mimi Wagner
registration forms after May 1st, visit the Iowa Prairie Fritz & Victoria Keinert Linda & Doug Ward
Network website at www.iowaprairienetwork.org or Michael & Susan Keraus Bob And Jan Williams
contact Inger Lamb at 515-963-7681or 515-240-4358. Gerald Keys Trudy Yoder
Eliot Lafollete

Birdathon is May 10th

Now is the time to gear up for Birdathon 2003! Ask
any of our dozens of Birdathon participants, and they’ll
tell you it’s just plain fun. We count birds to raise funds
for birds. Birdathon enables our Audubon chapter to
support many worthy projects related to birds, habitat
and nature education. Last year we raised over $5200.
There’s still plenty of time to form a team, join a team,
raise some pledges or make a donation. Birdathon
teams will be heading out on May 10th to see who can
count the most species of birds in one day. The winner
takes home the coveted Birdathon Traveling Trophy: a
Prothonotary Warbler carved and painted by Jon &
Joyce Bahrenfus.
New birders are welcome, too. Our Birdathon
Coordinators Karl & Carmen Jungbluth will help you
join a team, and get you started with pledge forms and
other information. Full details about Birdathon, plus a
pledge form, were included in the March/April
newsletter. We can also email copies of the pledge
form.
If you can’t do a Birdathon, we’re always looking for
more sponsors. Sponsor a friend who has a team, or
make a pledge to the chapter. Just contact Karl &
Carmen at 515-432-5057 or send an email to
weatherbird@opencominc.com.

Do Something For the Birds!

Enjoy spring, take a look beyond your backyard, and participate in Birdathon!

6 Big Bluestem Flyer May/June 2003

 Bird Survey at
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt Clip and Join
Polk County Conservation Board is putting
together a survey for Chichaqua Bottoms Don’t forget gift memberships!
Greenbelt (CBG). They are looking for ex-
perienced birders interested in volunteering
for this important process. Without knowing
Membership Application forms
exactly what is there, proper management
New member of the National Audubon Society. You will
plans can’t be written, and potential funding
opportunities may be missed.
receive the Audubon magazine, the Big Bluestem Flyer,
CBG has now grown to over 7000 acres, membership card. — $20
which includes important habitats for Iowa’s Please make your check payable to National Audubon
birds. Remnant and reconstructed prairie is Society and include “Chapter Code H-57” on the check
the dominant ecosystem, but over 500 acres
of wetlands are now present with more on the OR
way. Woodlands are also present along the Subscribe to the Big Bluestem Flyer for one year and
present and former Skunk River channels.
participate in some Big Bluestem Society Activities — $10
There are currently 20 desired routes Restrictions are that you will not be a National Audubon Society
mapped out that volunteers will monitor once member or have voting privileges, and you cannot be an officer or
a month for one or two years. More details committee chair. Please make your check payable to Big Bluestem
on this will be available later. Audubon Society.
The hope is that local birders from Des
Moines Audubon and Big Bluestem Audubon Send your check and this coupon to
will step-up and take on this important chal- Al Johnson, Membership Chair
lenge so birders can help determine the fu- 3912 Squaw Road, Ames, IA 50014
ture management of the state’s largest
county owned wildlife area. Name _______________________________________________
If interested in participating, call Joe Address _____________________________________________
Boyles at (515) 323-5362, or Loren Lown at
City_____________________ State____ ZIP_______________
(515) 323-5364. They can also be reached by
e-mail at jboyles@co.polk.ia.us or llown@co. Phone ________________ E- mail _______________________
polk.ia.us. Please do not use this form for renewa ls to the National Audubon Soc.

Present the coupons below at the time of your purchase and a donation will be given to BBAS.
Donations will fund the various habitat restoration and educational projects undertaken by BBAS.

213 DUFF AVE. Brekke's Town & Country Store, Inc.

AMES, IA 50010
(515) 956-3145 1 1/2 miles east of I-35 on new U.S. 30 and 1/4 mile north
Your Backyard Birdfeeding Specialist ®
Hours: 8-6 M-F, 8-4 Sat. (515) 232-7906
Donate 10%
of your Next
Purchase Donation
Purchase Up tp $15 $1.50
To Big Bluestem Audubon Society $15 and over $3.00
& Receive 2 lbs. FREE of our Deluxe Blend
$35 and over $5.00
Coupon must be presented at time of purchase Over $70 $7.50
May not be combined with any other offer
Not valid on specially -priced merchandise
Brekke’s offers Big Bluestem Audubon Society a donation
Monday – Friday 9:30am – 5:30pm when bird seed or other bird products are purchased.
Saturday 9am – 5pm Present this coupon with your purchase and a donation will be
Sunday Noon – 4pm Offer Expires: 06/30/03
given to BBAS.
We Bring People and Nature Together ®

BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • HOUSES • BIRDBATHS Offer good until June 30, 2003
HARDWARE • BINOCS • BOOKS • NATURE GIFTS

May/June 2003 Big Bluestem Flyer 7

 HALLETT'S QUARRY PHOTO EXHIBIT
"WALK THRU" AND PROGRAM ON HALLETT'S QUARRY
Sunday, May, 18, 2003, 2 to 4pm Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park
Join Ames Photographer Janet Jepeway for a "Walk Thru" of her photo exhibit "Hallett's Quarry" on Sunday,
May 18, 2003, 2 to 4pm at the Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park, 56461 180th St., Ames, Iowa.
Janet will do a "Walk Thru" of her photo exhibit "Hallett's Quarry", which photo-documents the appearance of
the quarry in it’s first six months of ownership by the City of Ames. She will relate the events leading to her
photographing the quarry, discuss the individual photos and what it was like to photograph the quarry in all types
of weather, as well as show her favorite piece of equipment and share experiences such as the "teen -age necking
party".
All photographs in the exhibit are for sale. Profits after expenses will be donated to the restoration of the quarry
as a park and as a backup water supply for the City of Ames. Prints purchased will be signed and dated by the
photographer. Framing is courtesy of Walden Photo. Refreshments will be provided by Wheatsfield Grocery.
Sponsors of the exhibit are: Outdoor Lighting Associates Inc, Access Direct and Royce J. Bitzer.
PROGRAM: Story County Conservation Partners and the Ames Heritage Association will co-sponsor the
afternoon's program. Dennis Wendell, Collections Curator for the Ames Heritage Association will present a
program on the history of Hallett's Quarry entitled:
Hunting, Farming, Quarrying: 2000 Years of Human Activity at Hallett's Quarry"
Mr. Wendell will briefly discuss the evidence for prehistoric human activity in the area, then concentrate on the
Euro-American settlement during the mid-nineteenth century, and the later gravel pit operation. Slides, artifacts
and perhaps the appearance of a mystery guest will supplement the talk.
Contacts: Janet Jepeway, 233-6741
Dennis Wendell, Collections Curator, Ames Heritage Association, 233-1404
Story County Conservation, Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, 232-2516.

Vol 38 No. 5 Printed on Recycled paper May/June 2003

this will be your last issue of the Flyer unless you renew.
If you have an “X” after your name on your mailing label,

We welcome new members!

Ames, IA 50014
Ames, Iowa 2308 State Ave
Permit No. 131 Big Bluestem Audubon Society
U. S. Postage Paid David C. Edwards, Editor
Non-Profit Org. Big Bluestem Flyer