On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Good Morning All,
Have a wonderful day, and enjoy the pictures!
Today, pictures from valued commenter Albatrossity.
More images of the critters found in the Flint Hills of Kansas.
Taken on 2017-10-02 00:00:00
Flint Hills of Kansas
Large herds of bison historically roamed these hills, but nowadays there are lots more cattle than bison. Nonetheless there are still some bison herds in the Flint Hills, both on private ranches and on publicly accessible land like the Tallgrass National Monument near Cottonwood Falls KS. This winsome fellow lives on the Konza Prairie Biological Station south of Manhattan KS. Konza has a trail system that is open to the public, but it does not go through the area of the station where the bison lives. Come visit me sometime and maybe we can get you out there.
Taken on 2017-07-24 00:00:00
Flint Hills of Kansas
The Dickcissel is an abundant and very vocal summer resident throughout the state, but is particularly abundant and vocal in the Flint Hills. This one is perched on another iconic prairie species, the Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum). If you’ve read Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac, perhaps you remember this passage: “What a thousand acres of Silphiums looked like when they tickled the bellies of the buffalo is a question never again to be answered, and perhaps not even asked.”
Taken on 2013-10-26 00:00:00
Flint Hills of Kansas
Field Sparrows are common summer and rare winter residents of the Flint Hills, but are also found across the North American continent. Their orangish-pink bills and prominent white eye-ring make them stand out even in the grasses and forbs of the prairie.
Taken on 2017-09-07 00:00:00
Bell’s Vireo
Bell’s Vireos are abundant and also very vocal summer residents; just about any patch of Narrow-leaved Dogwood on the prairie will have a proprietary Bell’s Vireo blasting out his territorial song all day long. They are also tiny, and notorious skulkers, so I was very happy to lure this one out briefly for a portrait.
Taken on 2017-05-24 00:00:00
Flint Hills of Kansas
Indigo Buntings are found across much of eastern North America, and are even spreading westward these days. This species was probably not very common on the prairies historically, since there were not very many trees until the land was settled and fires were suppressed. But they are common now in the summer, and a welcome voice during the hot parts of the year.
Thank you so much Albatrossity, do send us more when you can.
Travel safely everybody, and do share some stories in the comments, even if you’re joining the conversation late. Many folks confide that they go back and read old threads, one reason these are available on the Quick Links menu.
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rikyrah
The pictures are so beautiful ???
Betty Cracker
A photo of a booger-eating bison is the perfect way to start the day. :)
Rob
The song of the Bell’s Vireo often sounds like “you don’t know where the heck I am!”, so appropriate for this skulker.
arrieve
Love that bison!
JPL
@Betty Cracker: I’m still trying to imagine Bison belly rubs.
OzarkHillbilly
I love the Sand County Almanac. It is a permanent resident on my “To read again shelf”. I don’t however, recall that passage. Guess that means I need to read it a fourth time.
debbie
The color on that bunting!
JeanneT
@debbie: That’s what I was going to say. Amazing.
mrmoshpotato
@JPL: How do you rub a bison’s belly?
Very carefully.
?BillinGlendaleCA
I hope you were using a long telephoto for that bison, those suckers are mean. Love the Indigo Bunting.
MelissaM
Beautiful! How do you lure out a skulker?
Spanky
You are planning on putting out a 2020 calendar before Christmas, right? Because the 2019 version turned out to be a very appreciated present for my bird watcher relatives.
Marketing tip: Put out two versions so people can buy both.
Mike in Oly
So many wonderful little birds! Thanks for these. Great start to the day.
Albatrossity
@Spanky: Thanks! I’m glad it was appreciated. And yes, I have already laid out the 2020 calendar; theme this year will be Hawks and Owls of Kansas. I’ll let you all know when it is finalized and available.
MelissaM: Skulkers can be lured out by making noises that sound somewhat like other scolding birds; birders call this “pishing”. Here’s a primer – https://www.thespruce.com/pishing-to-attract-birds-386698
Betty
Love the pictures and the explanations. So nice to share a little of your part of the world.
KSinMA
Lovely!