Messin with Sasquatch

     Sasquatch is our resident Screech Owl.  While we hear him often at dusk and into the night, we also occasionally call him in up close with a Screech Owl call recording.  Here, he poses while we "mess" with him.  He's wondering:  "Where is that other owl anyway?"  

     I shoot a little video of Sasquatch as a friend uses his own whistling to keep his interest.  Listen closely as Mike's whistling stimulates the soft but audible response from Sasquatch.  The Screech Owl call is commonly used by birders to call in other, smaller birds which come to mob the potential predator similar to kingbirds and blackbirds who like to dive at hawks.  The call brings in many species of small birds but it also attracts Screech Owls--surprise surprise.  And it's so much fun to mess with Sasquatch!

A Brilliant Bunting

     Of all the birds found in the Red Hills, and in North America for that matter, none are as colorful as the Painted Bunting. While this species has been seen in many parts of the state this year, it has been a constant summer resident of the Red Hills.  Replete with nearly all the colors of nature's palette, this male's glamorous appearance is sure to attract a mate.  But wait.  There's competition with other males who are just as brilliant.  So it takes some serious singing to "get the girl."  (watch video below)

Seeing Painted Buntings - spectacular;
seeing Painted Buntings in the Red Hills -- priceless!

This Painted Bunting demonstrated wing fluttering hoping to attract a mate
--as if his incredible appearance wasn't enough!

This Painted Bunting male sings its heart out for a mate.

Ok, now its just showing off!

Happy Herpers

The Kansas Herpetological Society sponsored a summer field trip to the Red Hills recently.  Headquartered at Coldwater City Lake, the group collected and observed amphibians and reptiles in about a three county area over last weekend.  It's a funny thing about all these kids (and adults) involved in these activities; they are so enthralled with nature's wonders and being in the outdoors that video games, TV, and Iphones etc. are rarely seen.  I think there's an excellent solution to Nature Deficit Disorder and it starts with kids' fascinations with these animals!  Yay for herps.  Thanks to Travis Taggart and the Kansas Herpetological Society for leading this great event!

A Racer expresses his feelings about being the object of favor.

Adaira shows off her Texas Horned Lizard (Horny Toad).

Paxon shares his Prairie Kingsnake to new friends.  

Wild Turkey Delight

A mother hen wild turkey came visiting this morning.

 She was very thirsty and drank from the frog pond.

Then gave great delight by showing off her brood of six young poults of just a few days old.

Prime Time on the Prairie

   For those with a fascination with weather, and sometimes violent weather, this year has had its share of offerings on the prairie.  Thunderstorms are of the highest natural theater on the prairie.  Few will take the time to watch a storm develop from its infancy as a small cumulus cloud and advancing to an anvil-headed monster ready to wreak havoc with lightning, hail and sometimes violent winds.  But joy is to the storm watcher who is at a safe distance, in sufficient shelter, to observe the greatest of nature's wonders.  I was so fortunate as a kid to have a dad who instilled in me the fascination of thunderstorms in all their glory.  While they have been quite rare the last couple of years while we suffer through drought, we have been blessed with some of this weather joy this year in the Red Hills.  Here's a sampling of yesterday's natural theater.

For weather buffs, the weather apps for smart phones are simply the best you could hope for in finding and following storms.  How cool to watch them develop and see where they are going--maybe to your place!

Watch this short vid for a beautiful display above our grasslands last evening.  Simply beautiful!

Front Line on the Cedar War

     Rancher friends, Ted and Brian Alexander show how its done down in the Red Hills.  While Eastern Red Cedar is native to this area, the trees were originally confined to the deeper canyons where natural fire could not reach them.  Since the arrival of non-native Americans, fire has been suppressed.  So, cedars are having a heyday, encroaching on rangeland, depleting water supplies to streams and creating incredible wildfire hazards.  When they get this big, there's just one solution, cut, slash and either grind or burn.  Its a huge war being waged by a collaboration between several agencies, organizations and landowners.  The Nature Conservancy of Kansas is contributing as it can to help out in the battles.  But folks like Ted and Brian have helped lead the way...on the frontline of this War on Cedars!  While the video is fun, Ted and Brian will be quick to admit this is hard and long work!

(vid and production due to Brian Alexander with help from "Pop")

Red Hills Regalia

Can't make it down to the Red Hills right now?  Then let me take you on a little tour of the incredible wildflower display.  First, relax a bit as butterflies flit among the Purple Coneflowers.

Echinacea blankets a Red Hills hillside.  

A beautiful color variation of prickly pear cactus.  Yellow is the normal.

Serrate-leaved evening primrose and purple poppy mallow join forces to compete in the grand floral display.

St. John's Wort enjoys being guarded by stalwart Yucca and its alert flower stalks.

                     A Clouded Sulfur enjoys the nectar of Purple Coneflower--a symbiotic symphony of nature.