I got a new dog last fall and as a result I've been exploring the  far reaches of the Raccoon River park in West Des Moines. It's an amazing place and might be of interest to the nature photographers. Over 600 acres plus a 200 acre lake. There is a wide gravel trail circling the lake, but the neat stuff is off the beaten path and usually easy hiking. Fields of prairie grass, lots of marshy areas, lots of forest. The isolated marshes are full of all kinds of waterfowl, mushrooms are starting to pop up in the backwoods. Hundreds of deer in there. I've seen wild turkeys, but can't get closer than about 100 yards. There have been reports of fox and coyotes. I can't tell the difference between and eagle and a hawk at 100 yards, but there are many of one of those. Easy access from Grand Avenue. I recommend the eastern section of the park, entering on the main trail at the "dog park" and taking excursions off the trail to the east of the lake. The river is on  the south side, and the soccer fields are on the west side. All the good stuff is on the east side. I'm not much of a nature shooter, but I'd be willing to meet folks there and point them in the right direction.