PrairieDust visual journal

photographer Dave Leiker

Return to Prairie Earth

Return to Prairie Earth

A newly laid grave awaits a marker at this hill-top cemetery in the Flint Hills, north of Elmdale, Kansas. Here’s a little history about the church on the hill: In 1881, Joshua Shipman made an offering of $100 to begin construction of a church. The cornerstone...
Chicken Coop

Chicken Coop

Nestled in the woods north of Elmdale is this century-old limestone-block chicken house. A shallow ravine in front offers a pathway for groups of deer. Seven crossed the highway as we approached. One-by-one they gracefully leaped over a gate and dissapeared into the...
Wooden Out-Building

Wooden Out-Building

Found on the edge of highway 56, in Osage County, Kansas – The collapsed roof creates an overall shape that puzzles the eye for a bit. The used-to-be-red wall boards, warped & arching outward, add to the effect.