A Red Hills Year

     The Red Hills is a very diverse country of about two million acres in west, south-central Kansas and extending a short portion into Oklahoma. In Kansas, it encompasses in part or whole seven counties. The heart of the Red Hills is considered to be in Barber, Comanche and Clark counties with a portion in the southeast corner of Kiowa County. To capture the enchanting essence of this beautiful country takes much more than one blog post to comprehend. But this will be an attempt to portray some of the Red Hills' charm through the seasons.

A small winter stream scene imparts frozen beauty.
Pic by Lee Ann Brunson.

An early winter scene along Dog Creek with
a backdrop of silver sky.

Ranching is the essence of the Red Hills. Some over-wintered
cattle herds need supplemental hay to get through hard times.

Some remnants of the last snow storm accent the north slopes

of the hills.

Early spring means start-up of prescribed burns
with neighbors helping neighbors.

The Medicine River greens up, nourished by the
constant lifeblood of the land.

Summer awakens the hills with explosive expression.
The rangeland brings forth productive forage
for the resident cattle herds and wildlife.

Prairie winecup (Purple poppy mallow)
toasts the glory of summer.

Smooth sumac reddens the fall features. 

Sand lily signals the onset of fall and the
everchanging annual landscape.

    The Red Hills, enjoyed by appreciative residents as well as visitors, cycle through another year. Each year brings some surprises--some catastrophic such as large wildfires and some quite wonderful with ample rainfall and sustenance to a grateful land. Each season prompts changes which enlighten one's soul. A boring land it would be to be a slave to routine. Such is life on this prairie and welcomed by those who appreciate its beauty, the quiet solitude it can supply and the bountiful joys of nature it shares.