Birds of The Flint Hills (two)

So many birds find a wonderful habitat in the Flint Hills.

I know that many people think of Kansas as barren, but they are quite surprised when they experience the richness of plant and animal life here.

Birds of the Flint Hills (part one) click HERE

Meadowlark state bird of kansas Mary todd

The hills do provide some hiding places in the winter,
and there is a bit less encroachment on the land here in flyover country...

Many crows seem to arrive in winter, although there are some crows year round.

fine art in the flint hills

Crow in the Snow m.k.todd

 fine art in the flint hills

A Robin Takes a Bath mktodd

 fine art in the flint hills

Crow

 A beautiful Northern Flicker.

fine art in the flint hills

 Note the camouflage of the Western Meadowlark, the state bird.

fine art in the flint hills

 fine art in the flint hills

Happy Meadowlark

 Flicker in wind

fine art in the flint hills

 One can see lots of Red-bellied Woodpeckers in the flint hills.

fine art in the flint hills

The Tallgrass Prairie, 

as wonderful as it is, is almost gone.

 Only 5% of this original area is left.

Original Tallgrass Area Map

We are the last remaining bit of the vast grasslands of the Tallgrass Prairie, once stretching the length of the continent.
(Grasslands are the source of all life, really...)

Here is a great quote and map from
the following site:  beyond-the-commonplace-tallgrass-prairie-national-preserve-flint-hills-kansas

"...Our continent's most endangered ecosystem,

 the tallgrass prairie (America's grassland) has 

shriveled to only 5% of its former glory 

(the map image at left is from Last Stand of the Tallgrass Prairie). It is as if a horde of invaders slowly consumed the former empire, devouring its majestic sprawl, one paved asphalt assault at a time. I once wrote about this conflicted aspect of conurbation, my struggle with progress versus preservation and the need for protecting nature from our own relentless consumption. I don't think I am alone in the dichotomous feelings one has, benefiting from the amplitude of the 21st century at the expense of our consumptive ways..."

Tallgrass Prairie Endangered ecosystem

ONLY 5% remaining...

All that we can do to help preserve this wonderful ecosystem is important.
Visit the Flint Hills Discovery Center: (it will make a difference in your thinking.)




Some of the lovely, intelligent crows i love to photograph:

Birds in the flint hills

Birds in the flint hills

Cold Crow by Mary Todd

Neon Blizzard Crow mktodd

Birds in the flint hills

Crow in Light by Mary Todd

Birds in the flint hills

Birds in the flint hills

Crow Walkers mtodd

Poser Crow by Mary Todd

Birds in the flint hills

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 Crow Shadow by Mary Todd

Birds in the flint hills