Downed Tents

Downed Tents

by | Jun 9, 2009 | Celebrations, Symphony in the Flint Hills

Doyle Creek Ranch, Marion County, Kansas — Pools of rain gather in low spots of tent roofs brought to earth during a weekend storm. The tents, raised a few days ago for the 2009 Symphony in the Flint Hills event, were blown down on Sunday evening by unusually violent...
Field Border

Field Border

by | Jun 8, 2009 | Landscape

Dickinson County, Kansas — After a series of spring rains the fields along highway 4, stretching from Elmo, across Carlton, and into Gypsum, were lush and full of color. The interplay of colors in the fields, culverts, and borders break up the flat landscape. I walked...
Lunch at the Wild Alfalfa Cafe

Lunch at the Wild Alfalfa Cafe

by | Jun 4, 2009 | Fauna, The Natural World, Wildflowers

Along Road FF, east of Hwy 177, Morris County, Kansas – Perched on top of a sprig of wild alfalfa I found this strange creature, about 3/4 inch actual size. I’m surprised it’s as sharp as it is, since the plant was swaying in the wind while I tried to...
Deer in Velvet

Deer in Velvet

by | Jun 3, 2009 | Fauna, Flint Hills

Road FF east off Hwy 177, Morris County, Kansas – Though it’s a little hard to see in the web verison, the deer’s antlers are still in velvet. This a beautiful drive through the Flint Hills in the Council Grove area, with small patches of woodland,...
Salvia Pollination

Salvia Pollination

by | May 31, 2009 | Fauna, The Natural World

Salvias use a lever mechanism to help cross-pollination along. When a pollinator, like this bee, enters the flower a lever moves the stamens into contact with the back of the bee. When the bee moves to another salvia, this same movement brings the stigma of the new...