Perhaps the fastest growing activity on national wildlife refuges in the past ten years has been wildlife photography. That鈥檚 not surprising 鈥� the digital camera population explosion and cell phones with ever-improving picture-taking abilities are increasing the number of nature photographers at a rapid rate. You don鈥檛 need to purchase expensive equipment or have any experience to get started. A small camera or basic cell phone will do just fine for most visitors.
We welcome beginning and expert photographers alike to record their outdoor adventures on film, memory card or internal hard drive! Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge considers wildlife photography to be a high-priority activity, and we even provide a photography blind on Frog Pond at the Refuge.
To learn more about our photography blind and the reservation process, contact us at [email protected] or (541) 757-7236.
Tips For Photographers
Plan ahead!
Monitor community science webpages such as and to see what has been reported. Follow the Refuge social media pages like our page. You will see which wildlife species have been observed lately. You can scroll backwards to check dates and general locations. Many wildlife observers will not give exact locations to protect sensitive species.
Follow the water!
You don't even need to leave the car if you drive to Eagle Marsh on Buena Vista Road or Pintail Marsh on Wintel Road. Better yet, it's even better to stay in the car and use it as a bird blind to get closer photos of wildlife!
Depending on the time of the year, you can expect to see lots of waterfowl in the water, wading birds and shorebirds on the mudflats, songbirds in the trees, dragonflies above the water, coyotes, beavers, river otters, and more! Check out our seasons of life to learn what wildlife is at the Refuge at the time of the year you are visiting.
Walk the trails!
Walk the trails from the Rail Trail parking lot or Ankeny Hill Nature Center parking lot.
Many songbirds and woodpeckers can be seen and heard in the riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian forest of Rail trail from both sides of the gravel and boardwalk and at the observation blind you'll get great photos of waterfowl and wading birds. Between April 1st to September 30th, you can walk the extension trails through the forest and alongside the agricultural fields where you can photograph deer, elk, brush rabbits, and more!Walk the Big Loop and Little Loop trails at the Ankeny Hill Nature Center and get stunning views of pollinators in the pollinator patch, landscape images of the restored upland prairie, and macro shots of wonderful wildflowers!
Check out our trails page!
Follow etiquette!
- Pull way over and DO NOT stop at a curve or in the middle of the road.
- Drive slowly.
- If a car is pulled over and has binoculars or a camera sticking out the window, use extreme caution so not to startle the wildlife.
Be mindful of other drivers, especially those who live nearby, and stay off of their property.
Tips for getting the best photo!
a. Use an electronic shutter if you can, so you don't startle the birds or other wildlife.
b. Shut off your car, so the vibration doesn't blur your photos.
c. Keep an eye on the horizon or the rings of water, so your images are straight.
d. Early morning seems to be the best time to find wildlife, and twilight gives spectacular lighting. Really, though, all times of day shows beauty.
e. Be patient and enjoy the experience.
