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Ty Smedes
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I
typically have several presentations scheduled, and here are the details.
Some of these are open to the public and some are not.
2026/2027
Presentation Schedule |
Date
& Time |
Topic |
Description |
Location |
| June
26thth - 2:00pm |
Iowa's Wild
Beauty |
This slide presentation
and lecture, highlighting Ty’s book Iowa’s Wild Beauty
will take you along – on a visit to Iowa’s prairies
- to enjoy the summer wildflower bloom - as we also take a look
at many of Iowa’s colorful butterflies and many other unique
insects. We’ll explore White Pine Hollow State Preserve to
take a look at the fungi, mosses, liverworts, and ferns that grow
there, and you will learn about some of Iowa’s reptiles, including
the Prairie Rattlesnake, which lives amongst the bison at Broken
Kettle Grasslands State Preserve.. You'll see some amazing photos
of Iowa's Bald Eagles as we learn about their lifestye. And we'll
see the cutest wildlife babies, and the parents that nurture them
to adulthood. And we will take a look at several other birds of
prey, that nest in and pass through Iowa, during migration each
year. Special emphasis will be placed on the colorful warblers,
as they migrate through Iowa each spring - with some stopping to
nest and rear their young in our state. And you will learn about
Iowa’s resident ducks, geese, swans and water-birds as well.
Lastly, we will take a journey through the fall and winter seasons,
to enjoy spectacular fall color images, along with photos that highlight
the beauty and harshness of the winter season. Many images have
been chosen which tell a brief story — each accompanied by
captions — rich with informative descriptions of each subject,
event, and place. If you would like to experience Iowa’s scenic
natural areas, as well as its wild-flowers and animals presented
in a breath-taking way, join us for this presentation about Ty’s
3rd book – Iowa’s Wild Beauty. |
Story Point
Retirement, Ankeny - 2855 S.W. Vintage Parkway, Ankeny |
| July 21st -
Fair Haven East 10:30am, OV/UT 1:30pm, The Cottages 3:00pm |
Iowa's Wild
Beauty |
This slide presentation
and lecture, highlighting Ty’s book Iowa’s Wild Beauty
will take you along – on a visit to Iowa’s prairies
- to enjoy the summer wildflower bloom - as we also take a look
at many of Iowa’s colorful butterflies and many other unique
insects. We’ll explore White Pine Hollow State Preserve to
take a look at the fungi, mosses, liverworts, and ferns that grow
there, and you will learn about some of Iowa’s reptiles, including
the Prairie Rattlesnake, which lives amongst the bison at Broken
Kettle Grasslands State Preserve.. You'll see some amazing photos
of Iowa's Bald Eagles as we learn about their lifestye. And we'll
see the cutest wildlife babies, and the parents that nurture them
to adulthood. And we will take a look at several other birds of
prey, that nest in and pass through Iowa, during migration each
year. Special emphasis will be placed on the colorful warblers,
as they migrate through Iowa each spring - with some stopping to
nest and rear their young in our state. And you will learn about
Iowa’s resident ducks, geese, swans and water-birds as well.
Lastly, we will take a journey through the fall and winter seasons,
to enjoy spectacular fall color images, along with photos that highlight
the beauty and harshness of the winter season. Many images have
been chosen which tell a brief story — each accompanied by
captions — rich with informative descriptions of each subject,
event, and place. If you would like to experience Iowa’s scenic
natural areas, as well as its wild-flowers and animals presented
in a breath-taking way, join us for this presentation about Ty’s
3rd book – Iowa’s Wild Beauty. |
Fair Haven East,
OV/UT, and The Cottages Retirement- Pella |
| August 7th -
2:00pm |
The Return of
Iowa's Bald Eagles |
Join Iowa author/photographer
Ty Smedes for a slide presentation and lecture which will reveal
many incredibly interesting discoveries about Iowa's Bald Eagles
and how they go about their every-day lives in Iowa and the Midwest!
See eagles eating fish while on the wing, photos which illustrate
the plumage evolution of younger eagles, an eagle nest diary, eagles
flying with icicles on their toes, eagles diving, catching fish,
and much more. Learn how researchers track bald eagle movements,
and where eagles come from that winter in Iowa. And listen to the
many anecdotes about Iowa’s Bald Eagles. The presentation
will also reveal many highlights of the 2nd edition printing of
The Return of Iowa’s Bald Eagles, including updated nesting
and wintering statistics, Bald Eagle rehabilitator updates, more
than 70 new photos, and many exciting new action sequences. The
book will be available for sale and can be signed and personalized
by the author. |
BRIO Retirement
Facility - Johnston |
| October 15th
- 7:00pm |
Loon Magic -
The Life Cycle of the Common Loon |
As an icon of the north-country,
the Loon has created magic for all who have enjoyed his antics and
that magical “call of the wild”. Polk City Iowa writer/photographer
Ty Smedes will lecture about the life history of the Loon, and will
share many stunning images. Ty has made many trips to the Boundary
Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota, where he has captured iconic
images of a female loon, on the nest, with youngsters riding on
her back, and even the male feeding the young, as they rest there.
Ty will share many anecdotes and will show how a nature photographer
pre-visualizes and plans a wilderness photography trip. Join us
for an exciting and educational presentation! |
Ames Public
Library - Big Bluestem Audubon |
| October 20th
- 7:00pm |
Birds and Wildlife
of Nebraska |
Although the drive through
Nebraska is sometimes referred to as “boring” or “uninteresting”,
our neighboring state plays host to a wonderful variety of birds,
and mammals. This presentation will introduce you to a stunning
variety of Nebraska wildlife, which is unique because of its location
“where East meets West”. Along with the scenic beauty
of the sandhills, we’ll experience the Sandhill Crane Migration
along the Platte River, and visit the waterfowl and wetland birds
of The Rainwater Basin. We’ll also travel to a ranch, where
we will enjoy Prairie Chickens displaying on an ancient lek, along
with the amazing array of birds and mammals that call the Crescent
Lake National Wildlife Refuge home. Along the way, we’ll also
discuss viewing blinds, visitor centers, and locations to stay,
for those nature-lovers who might want to visit! |
Northwest Community
Center - 5110 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines - Des Moin es Audubon |
| November 3rd
- 11:00am |
Birds and Wildlife
of Nebraska |
Although the drive through
Nebraska is sometimes referred to as “boring” or “uninteresting”,
our neighboring state plays host to a wonderful variety of birds,
and mammals. This presentation will introduce you to a stunning
variety of Nebraska wildlife, which is unique because of its location
“where East meets West”. Along with the scenic beauty
of the sandhills, we’ll experience the Sandhill Crane Migration
along the Platte River, and visit the waterfowl and wetland birds
of The Rainwater Basin. We’ll also travel to a ranch, where
we will enjoy Prairie Chickens displaying on an ancient lek, along
with the amazing array of birds and mammals that call the Crescent
Lake National Wildlife Refuge home. Along the way, we’ll also
discuss viewing blinds, visitor centers, and locations to stay,
for those nature-lovers who might want to visit! |
Polk Co. OWLS
- Jester Park Nature Center |
| November 12th
- 7:00pm |
Birds and Wildlife
of Nebraska |
Although the drive through
Nebraska is sometimes referred to as “boring” or “uninteresting”,
our neighboring state plays host to a wonderful variety of birds,
and mammals. This presentation will introduce you to a stunning
variety of Nebraska wildlife, which is unique because of its location
“where East meets West”. Along with the scenic beauty
of the sandhills, we’ll experience the Sandhill Crane Migration
along the Platte River, and visit the waterfowl and wetland birds
of The Rainwater Basin. We’ll also travel to a ranch, where
we will enjoy Prairie Chickens displaying on an ancient lek, along
with the amazing array of birds and mammals that call the Crescent
Lake National Wildlife Refuge home. Along the way, we’ll also
discuss viewing blinds, visitor centers, and locations to stay,
for those nature-lovers who might want to visit! |
EB Lyons Nature
Center - Dubuque Audubon |
| January 6th
- 7:00pm |
Birds and Wildlife
of Nebraska |
Although the drive through
Nebraska is sometimes referred to as “boring” or “uninteresting”,
our neighboring state plays host to a wonderful variety of birds,
and mammals. This presentation will introduce you to a stunning
variety of Nebraska wildlife, which is unique because of its location
“where East meets West”. Along with the scenic beauty
of the sandhills, we’ll experience the Sandhill Crane Migration
along the Platte River, and visit the waterfowl and wetland birds
of The Rainwater Basin. We’ll also travel to a ranch, where
we will enjoy Prairie Chickens displaying on an ancient lek, along
with the amazing array of birds and mammals that call the Crescent
Lake National Wildlife Refuge home. Along the way, we’ll also
discuss viewing blinds, visitor centers, and locations to stay,
for those nature-lovers and photographers who might want to visit!
|
Des Moines Camera
Club - Johnston Lions Club |
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