Kansas - The Scenes and the Seasons

Those of us that are lucky enough to live in the center of the country and get to experience all four seasons are among the blessed humans that witness God's handiwork whenever we wander about.  It really doesn't take a grand trip that is hundreds of miles in the distance, but, rather, just a look into the back yard or a city park or out the car window while driving to shop or work.  There are, of course, locations around the country that are home to indigenous plants and animals that aren't at home here in the mid-America. 

Within a few hundred miles, we can view mountains, prairies, hills, creeks, huge rivers, small rivers, sandy desert soil, misty green glens...

Two weeks ago, while I was sitting at the kitchen table watching the birds, a huge hawk landed on the deck railing about 12 feet from the house.  It was about 20 in. in length and a reddish-brown with quite a bit of white on the breast and legs.  I had a hard time identifying it in my bird book, but it looked to be a juvenile.  The hawk stayed for about 15 minutes, took a drink from the 16 in saucer I keep on the railing, and then just flew away.  This was so unexpected in our residential area and an amazing thrill to watch.

The following photos show various aspects of Kansas and her many attributes.

Enjoy your state and look for the beauty around you.  The prairie states have much to offer and a beauty that can not be found in any other part of the country.  Be an explorer of your area.  If you're in Kansas then think about becoming a Kansas Explorer at www.kansassampler.org
...
Sometimes we get 10-12 inches of snow with temperatures below zero.  Yet, in the summer, we get temperatures that reach for 100 with a humidity of 90+.  In the fall the air has that special autumn fragrance of drying leaves, ripening fruit and squash mixed with a cool breeze from the north and it's heavenly.  Our normal late spring season will have several severe storms as well as tornadoes.  Each piece makes up the whole, and the whole is our life...