March 29, 2024

Photo hike brings in visitors to wildlife refuge

20 guests from central Iowa attend morning event

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Just south of Prairie City lies a special place that brings both people and animals from all across the globe: The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.

Twenty visitors stopped at the refuge on the cold Saturday morning for its first photo hike of the year. Participants from central Iowa, such as Des Moines, Ames and Grinnell, as well as Jasper County residents, met at the Prairie Learning and Visitor Center for a brief orientation by staff Doreen Van Ryswyk before heading out to a watershed and the Basswood Trail.

Lynea Gehrking, of Monroe, had never been to a photo hike. She brought her daughter Ava, 7, to the refuge to take pictures because Ava is interested in photography. The two plan to attend future photo hikes, she said.

The refuge is a place to restore the once Iowa covered tallgrass prairie and oak savanna ecosystems, and a herd of around 75 bison and 25 elk can be found on the nearly 9,000 acres.

The bison are the most popular target for photographers, but the spring and summer create opportunities for wildflowers, landscape and wildlife photography.

“In June, the spiderwort is just everywhere, and the whole landscape is lavender. It’s really cool. There are just so many different things to see at every season. The prairie changes so fast and new things bloom almost every day,” Van Ryswyk said.

The photo hike was traditionally a seasonal event, but Van Ryswyk would like to expand on it during the spring, summer and autumn months, she said. The event is usually held in mid-morning, and she would like to host the event at a variety of times from sunrise to sunset.

“I just want to show other people what’s here, because when you have a camera in front of you, you see things differently than you do with your eye,” she said.

The program is free and open to the public. Amateur and professional photographers of all ages and skill levels are welcome and are asked to bring their own camera equipment, comfortable shoes and an open eye.

Photographers will also have the opportunity to participate to exhibit their work in the Refuge’s art gallery in November and December.

For more information on the next photo hike, contact Doreen Van Ryswyk at 515-994-3400.

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com