Resident Spotlight: Clayton Will’s Bird Photography Brings Iowa’s Skies Indoors
Madrid Home Communities | Independent Living
Meet Clayton Will
Take a walk through the halls at Madrid Home Communities and you’ll spot them—striking birds mid-flight, vivid feathers frozen in perfect detail, and peaceful Iowa scenes that invite you to slow down. Many of the photographs lining our hallways were captured by Clayton Will, an independent living resident whose passion for bird photography has become a meaningful part of life at Madrid. You’ll even find Clayton’s work displayed in staff offices, where it’s admired daily.
Clayton’s photography reaches beyond our community as well. In an effort to educate and inspire, he has donated some of his work to the local library, creating something especially meaningful for young visitors.
The bird that started it all.
A spark on the garage roof
Clayton has been photographing birds for about ten years, but the journey began with one small moment—a little white bird perched on his garage back in Badger.
“That was my spark that got me going on birding,” Clayton shared.
What started as curiosity quickly turned into a lifelong passion.
346 Iowa species photographed… and counting
Clayton set an ambitious personal goal: photographing as many bird species in Iowa as possible. To date, he has documented 346 species, with photos of all but four of them. He carefully prints 8.5-by-11-inch photos of every quality image he captures—especially the rare birds. By his estimate, about 100 of his photos feature species considered rare in Iowa.
While birds are his main focus, Clayton’s work also includes farm scenes and wildlife, often captured spontaneously—pulling over on the side of the road when something catches his eye.
“It’s a wonderful hobby,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of people and made a lot of friends.”
One print—or many birds in one
Collages of Clayton’s many photos line the hallways at Madrid.
In addition to individual bird portraits, Clayton also creates collage-style prints, combining multiple bird species into a single piece. These collages are what he has shared with the local library.
Each collage is accompanied by an information sheet that explains what each bird is and where it was found, making the displays both educational and engaging. The library uses these collages specifically for children who visit, giving young readers a chance to learn about Iowa’s birds in a fun, approachable way.
Clayton has said he has really enjoyed creating this project, even designing a new collage specifically for the library.
Always ready for the unexpected
Many of Clayton’s favorite photos come from everyday moments—driving past a farm scene or spotting wildlife at just the right time. Others require quick decisions and long drives.
As part of the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union, Clayton stays connected with fellow birders across the state. When a rare sighting is shared, he’s often ready to go.
“If somebody sees something, they’ll post it… and I’ll just drop what I’m doing and go two hours to see a rare bird,” he said.
That spontaneity paid off when a wood stork appeared in Greene County—an unexpected visitor Clayton was able to photograph from just twenty feet away.
Favorite birds, favorite memories
Clayton stands next to his favorite photo.
When asked about his favorite photo, Clayton returns to where it all began: the hoary redpoll—the bird that sparked his interest and set everything in motion.
A close second is the hooded warbler, photographed at Ledges State Park. The bird paused for only about 20 seconds—long enough for Clayton to capture video and later pull still images from it.
Iowa: a state made for birding
Clayton’s passion is well suited to Iowa’s rich bird life. According to the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union, Iowa’s official bird list includes 433 species as of early 2023, representing resident birds, migrants, and accidental visitors. More than 200 species nest in the state, and many others rely on Iowa as a crucial stopover during long migrations, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
A gift to the community
Through his photography, Clayton Will shares more than images—he shares knowledge, curiosity, and a love of learning. From Madrid’s hallways to staff offices and now the local library, his work encourages people of all ages to look closer at the world around them.
For Clayton, creating something that helps children learn about birds has been especially rewarding—and for the rest of us, it’s just one more reason to pause, look, and appreciate the beauty right outside our windows.
Clayton’s pictures along the hallways for Independent Living at Madrid.