Turkey vulture.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_vulture

Sounds like you had a challenging day but you got some great photos. I hope you don’t have any lasting effects from getting your feet wet and cold.

Maybe Bill Shaneyfelt will be good enough to identify this. I don’t think it’s one we have out in the northwest.

Looks like a route I might have come up with! It’s the journey, not the destination.

Another interesting ride, Susan.

Thanks for your interest Kathleen. The area was reclaimed from an old quarry and the lakes are man-made. There are a number of projects in the park to restore original prairie and habitat.

It beats me, Scott. The increased security is all post-911 and all federal facilities have heightened security. And the USDA is also sensitive to actions of animal rights group. But not taking pictures seems beyond the pale.

That is so strange. What are they afraid of?

I'm interested in that wetland in the park. Is that natural? Is it creek-fed or rain-fed? Seasonal? Something about the photos and the angles just piqued my interest.

Thanks Ria and Eddy. It was truly another world when we shared that wonderful Father's Day meal in France. I hope that you are able to get out and enjoy some bike travels this year, and that our paths will cross in 2021. Wishing you both good health.

Thanks Rachael! I'm in awe of your climbing accomplishments! We don't have many hills here in Iowa and I've always considered the wind as our flatlander challenge. If you're not willing to ride in the wind, you will miss out on the springtime cycling.
I do wear a buff, which doubles as both a wind break and a snot rag. Nowadays, it can also be pulled up as a makeshift mask, if needed.

You are tough! We’ve had some days bicycling in 15+ headwinds and crosswinds and they are hard. Especially because my eyes and nose are constantly running and it’s cold. I also have allergies that make it hard to breathe. I’m with you, I always make sure we are thinking of wind direction but the predicted wind speed is usually significantly less than the actual wind speed.

Susan,
Again, we liked reading your reports of your recent bike tours. We hope you can do more nice trips.
We wish you all the best and keep it safe!
Greetings, Ria & Eddy

Sometimes a little ignorance is a good thing! I think that this is the time of year where males are scouting out their breeding territories - maybe this was a good spot???

Thanks Jon
Writing about my local riding from a "tour" perspective gives me a new appreciation of this area. I'm moving to North Carolina in the fall and will surely miss the space here - in the landscapes and on the bike trails and roadways.
Pheasants here are mostly wild, though I think Dept of Natural Resources does have some brood stock. The farm fields and hedgerows provides a good habitat for them and Pheasants Forever is a big conservation/hunting organization that works to preserve habitat.