+.ABOUT +.APPALACHIA +.BRITISH.COLUMBIA +.CURRENT.RIVER +.GREAT.SAND.DUNES +.SVALBARD +.TALLGRASS.PRAIRIE +.WRANGELL +.YAMPA.RIVER
TALLGRASS PRAIRIE
KANSAS
CONSERVATION HISTORY
This is the U.S.'s only national park unit dedicated to the tallgrass prairie, privately owned by The Nature Conservancy and co-managed with the National Park Service. Tallgrass prairie is an incredibly diverse ecosystem. The preserve is home to more than 500 species of plants. Prominent grasses such as big bluestem, Indian grass, switchgrass, and little bluestem appear to dominate the plant community, however, they are far outnumbered by the diversity of herbaceous plants (wildflowers). Fauna ranges from large grazing animals like deer, bison, and cattle to a multitude of insects, amphibians, reptiles, and other animal life. Grassland birds, like greater prairie-chicken (a type of grouse), which have lost much of their native habitat, are of particular interest.
MY VISIT IN APRIL 2024
After a long drive from the Cumberland Gap, I visited the Tallgrass Prairie. Arriving a few days after the seasonal burn, I scouted to see what I could put time into the next morning. Walking on the trail I came to the bison gate, plastered with warnings. I crossed the threshold and started walking up the hill to the roaming areas of these massive creatures. As the wind howled and I approached the top, a shadow moved up the other side of the hill. With the freshly burned grass, I spotted it early, and from some distance. I stopped, waited, and watched. It slowly grew larger and sauntered over the grass to the trail to look at me. At some distance, it turned and walked towards me. As I backed off, its pace didn’t change, and I turned back and passed through the gate.
The next day had a bit more sun, and as luck would have it I found a road that led to where a few bison were grazing. I was able to get a few quick shots before having to head west through 2/3 of Kansas on my way to Colorado.
I’d love to return and photograph the prairies during the burn in mid-summer.
SOURCES
“Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve”
The Nature Conservancy
LINK TO ARTICLE
IMAGES FROM ON THE ROAD
