Local Photographer Captures Stunning Images of Iowa Wildlife

For many, it's easy to drive through the Hawkeye state and only notice the endless rows of corn and soybean fields sprawling the horizon, but there is an entire world of wildlife thriving just out of sight. That's where Iowa wildlife photographer Grant Webster steps in.

Whether it’s the elusive bobcat or the master of camouflage, the great barred owl, Webster has captured some truly stunning imagery. Dive into a gallery of his best work below.

Note from Grant: All of these photos were taken with a remote camera trap. A camera trap is a system that uses professional cameras housed in weatherproof enclosures and is triggered automatically by motion or heat. When an animal passes by, the sensor activates the camera, capturing photos without any human presence nearby. This allows wildlife to behave naturally and results in more candid, authentic images. It's similar in concept to a standard trail camera, but much more sophisticated.

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Remarkable Photos of Iowa Wildlife Captured By Grant Webster

Pictured above: This is a composite image of all the wildlife that frequented this log in a months span. There are 13 different animals.

-Grant Webster

Pictured above: The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation used this image on the front cover of their winter 2026 edition. It's a photo of sibling bobcats moving through the still of darkness after a fresh snowfall. There is a third bobcat just off frame to the right. Unfortunately, I didn't capture it on the camera trap, but my security camera shows all three.

-Grant Webster

Pictured above: This barred owl has a crawfish in its talons. There is a small woodland pond behind the owl that it hunts at night.

-Grant Webster

Pictured above: This is my most recent bobcat. I had my camera trap set up at a beaver lodge. I was really hoping for a photo of the beaver in the fresh snow, but you can't argue with a beautiful bobcat like this, wandering through the scene.

-Grant Webster

Pictured above: This coyote came to investigate a deer skull and bones. I never bait my camera traps. I scout some locations for years and track movement with trail cameras before deploying my camera trap. This area was high traffic for lots of animals, so I put my camera trap here. One day, hiking out to change batteries, I came across the deer bones on the trail. Coyotes must have feasted. It was about 50 yards from my camera trap, so I moved the bones in front of the camera. This is the only kind of "baiting", if you want to call it that, that I do.

-Grant Webster

Pictured above: I was shocked to see this photo. I get hundreds of raccoon photos on my camera trap, but I've never seen anything like this before. Mama raccoon carrying her young across a fallen tree over the shallows of a pond. It's one of my favorites.

-Grant Webster

Pictured above: This buck is pretty unique. It's a double patch and appears to be missing its left eye. Likely from an injury with another buck during the rut.

-Grant Webster

Note: A "Double Patch" Buck, refers to a rare, distinct marking where the animal has two throat patches instead of the usual one. This is considered highly unique, making these deer highly sought after in the hunting community.

-Grant Webster

 

Pictured above: This is a mother bobcat. I tracked her all summer as she raised her 4 kittens.

-Grant Webster

Pictured above: This is the same log that the barred owl is perched on.

-Grant Webster

 

These photos are a fitting reminder of the truly majestic wildlife living within Iowa's borders. To explore more of the collection, check out his website, Grant Webster Photography.

Story Sources: Grant Webster Photography Website, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Website