Meet the Best Angler on the Cedar River

A few days ago this colorful heron filled itself with small fish caught from the Cedar River.  The bird looks to be a Great Blue Heron based on its bill colors, head and neck feathers. The water's color is due to the reflection of nearby green foliage and seasonal algae.

The expert angler fished in the afternoon sun, below the low head dam at Palisades Kepler State Park near Mount Vernon, Iowa. Apparently unfazed by my approach, the heron made the choice of catching food versus fleeing. Smart bird.

Dam

A warning sign expresses either an opinion or a warning near the low head dam at Palisades State Park near Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Reaching for the Sun

Late autumn reveals interesting tree growing behavior. These rocky cliffs are north facing which does not allow for much direct light on developing trees. As a result stands are generally branch-less until they reach a certain height to create a canopy. Now that the leaves have fallen the nearly vertical trunks can be observed reaching for the sky without impediment.

Underwater Animal Tracks - Protofossil Factories

Animal tracks can be found around water sources. Such is the case with these Canada geese and deer tracks through backwaters of the Cedar River at Palisades-Kepler State Park near Mount Vernon, Iowa. Given the right weather, geologic conditions and time these now watery tracks could become hardened fossil tracks. However, even in drought times that eastern Iowa has experienced in 2012 it is unlikely that these tracks will survive intact following the next rainfall let alone the eons of time. But somehow fossil tracks do show up in the geologic record. We shall see.

Fall Camping Can Be Fun

Camping in the great outdoors means different styles. This camper parked below the fall colors and in return accumulated a bunch of dust and droppings. While other campers sheltered in large RV-type vehicles complete with digital satellite TV and rugged outdoor mats, only a few hearty souls elected to overnight in their pickup campers. One brave camper pitched a tent. Overnight lows for that evening fell to freezing. Good for them - that type of weather builds character.

Indian Mounds of Palisades-Kepler State Park

Along a road from the park ranger's office to the camping ground within Palisades State Park near Mount Vernon, Iowa a sign identifies the site of several Indian mounds. Unlike the more famous Effigy Mounds in extreme northeast Iowa where the mounds are animal shapes, these mounds are slight rises roughly conical in shape and perhaps 3-4 feet high. Visitors are free to walk throughout the mounds and interpret their meaning. No informative signs are present to describe the mounds, their builders or their age. At this time of year the park is filled with people enjoying the change of color and warm temperatures. 

While I photographed the scene, several cars slowed to look at the mounds. Only one car stopped. Two people got out, walked over and clicked a quick photo then left. For the twenty minutes that I spent at the site, no one else stopped to inspect these ancient monuments. Isn't it interesting that modern visitors drive by historic sites, grab a quick photo and dash to the next scene? I've seen this behavior before at many historic sites. Perhaps the limitations of time or the mobility of the visitor are to blame but an extended stop may help people understand a bit more of the site and make for a richer experience.

Injured Canada Goose Rests at Palisades State Park

This canada goose experienced some mobility issues but seemed to be enjoying the bright sun and warmer temperatures along the Cedar River at Palisades-Kepler State Park in eastern Iowa. The park ranger was informed of the injured bird by several people including myself. Since the bird did not flee I was able to get within six feet and take a few photos with the zoom lens. The bird kept an eye on me while looking at its surroundings including the river. Hopefully all will be well for the goose.

This year the river is extremely low as the effects of the draught continue. Just four years ago the flood of June 2008 sent river levels to the 500 year mark throughout this region. Downed trees along the bank are a remnant of that flood. 

Low Water Fishing at Iowa's Palisades State Park

Late season fishing on the Cedar River within the Palisades State Park means fewer crowds, fewer bugs and sometimes lower water levels. These two anglers came up empty while I was visiting the sand bar.

A lower river level at the park means that the exposed dolomite walls can be more readily explored - if you can get across the river. Not many people can traverse the water from this vantage point so these small caves tend to be less disturbed.

On this day the progression of the Cedar's lowering water can be observed in a series of braided pebble debris and sand lines. Despite the lower water level rock hunters can find all sorts of chert, coral fossils, and glacial debris on the ever changing sand bars. Know that.

Rippling Sand But No Arrow Heads

The shifting river bed of the Cedar River at the Palisades - Kepler State Park is especially revealing when water levels change. Recently the river has risen and fallen with snow melt and spring rains leaving this undulating sand pattern visible. The river bed is great place to collect rocks including shell and coral fossils, and all the major rock types. Today also yielded a few glass bottle fragments and a tea cup handle. While all the raw materials are present in the river bed for their production we were not able to find any spear points. The search continues. Anybody know a good place to find arrow heads around here? Still, it was just the right way to end a warm weekend. Know that.