I'm going to be in Manhattan Kansas in early July (6 and 7 I think) and am interested in photographing on the Konza Prairie. I'm not really familiar with the area, though have been in Manhattan once before -- including hiking the shortest ~2 mile loop on the Konza Prairie Preserve with my family sans camera in 2001. This time I'll have my gear with me and a couple of sunrises and sunsets free to shoot.
Does anybody have any suggestions for sunrise/sunset locations on the Konza Prairie - either on the trails or along K177 (which seems to be a sort of frontage road on the eastern border of the preserve) or anywhere else you might suggest? My interests, capabilities and equipment are oriented toward landscape.
One more thing -- I suppose its too late for wildflowers? I don't know much about the seasonal cycle on the Great Plains -- I'm a Californian!
Sorry Scott, I don't know about Konza Prairie either but I hope someone else here does.
As far as wildflowers, I don't think you will be disapointed. Many prairie flowers bloom for long periods and there is almost always something blooming from Spring to Fall.
Check out http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/index.html . Around 470 species of plants found in Kansas are pictured and described as to time of flowering, habitats, and so on.
I agree with Ken. You'll probably still be able to get some great wildflowers. We had a very late freeze, followed by unusually rainy conditions in May and June, so they are a little slower in going this year. The grass is also very green and lush. Usually by this time, it is starting to brown and wilt a little with the hot, dry conditions that usually begin in June. I'm confident you'll find many things to photograph!
Although I've been there numerous times, due to various circumstances, I've never been able to be there for sunrise/sunset. The trails are oriented in an east-west direction and loop around, so at any juncture if you head south, you should have good vantage points for either sunrise or sunset. Also, there is a scenic turnout on K177 a few miles south of Manhattan which has a very nice westerly vantage. I took a nice panoramic there this winter. There are several short "unofficial" trails leading down the hill from the pavillion so you can walk around and get better vantage points.
Here are a couple of web sites that might help you plan your trip:
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/kansas/preserves/art65.html
http://climate.konza.ksu.edu/konza/
I've never done it, but it's my understanding you can possibly make arrangements for a tour to see the buffalo on the property. The trails cover only a small portion of the property, and I've never seen the buffalo anywhere near the trails. You can also obtain permits to enter parts of the property not open to the general public. Hopefully the web sites will have a phone number or someone you can contact for more info.
Although your main interest is landscape, bring along a telephoto lens for wildlife. Lizards like to hang out on the rocky portions of the trails. Last time, I saw several colorful ones, and even saw two horned toads. And if the wildflowers are still blooming, there will be lots of butterflies, also. The creek areas contain dragonflies. You will likely see deer and turkey. On my last trip, I got within 50 feet of a tom and two hen turkeys, and saw four deer.
Hopefully you will use this experience to educate people that Kansas is NOT entirely flat! If you've been there, you know we DO have hills here!! I hope this information helps. Be sure to post some of your photos here when you get back. Konza is one of my favorite places. It's very peaceful and quiet, and pretty much unchanged from pioneer days. Good luck!
Discussion
3 repliesDoes anybody have any suggestions for sunrise/sunset locations on the Konza Prairie - either on the trails or along K177 (which seems to be a sort of frontage road on the eastern border of the preserve) or anywhere else you might suggest? My interests, capabilities and equipment are oriented toward landscape.
One more thing -- I suppose its too late for wildflowers? I don't know much about the seasonal cycle on the Great Plains -- I'm a Californian!
Many thanks in advance!
Scott
As far as wildflowers, I don't think you will be disapointed. Many prairie flowers bloom for long periods and there is almost always something blooming from Spring to Fall.
Check out http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/index.html . Around 470 species of plants found in Kansas are pictured and described as to time of flowering, habitats, and so on.
Have fun, and I hope you get some good shots.
Although I've been there numerous times, due to various circumstances, I've never been able to be there for sunrise/sunset. The trails are oriented in an east-west direction and loop around, so at any juncture if you head south, you should have good vantage points for either sunrise or sunset. Also, there is a scenic turnout on K177 a few miles south of Manhattan which has a very nice westerly vantage. I took a nice panoramic there this winter. There are several short "unofficial" trails leading down the hill from the pavillion so you can walk around and get better vantage points.
Here are a couple of web sites that might help you plan your trip:
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/kansas/preserves/art65.html
http://climate.konza.ksu.edu/konza/
I've never done it, but it's my understanding you can possibly make arrangements for a tour to see the buffalo on the property. The trails cover only a small portion of the property, and I've never seen the buffalo anywhere near the trails. You can also obtain permits to enter parts of the property not open to the general public. Hopefully the web sites will have a phone number or someone you can contact for more info.
Although your main interest is landscape, bring along a telephoto lens for wildlife. Lizards like to hang out on the rocky portions of the trails. Last time, I saw several colorful ones, and even saw two horned toads. And if the wildflowers are still blooming, there will be lots of butterflies, also. The creek areas contain dragonflies. You will likely see deer and turkey. On my last trip, I got within 50 feet of a tom and two hen turkeys, and saw four deer.
Hopefully you will use this experience to educate people that Kansas is NOT entirely flat! If you've been there, you know we DO have hills here!! I hope this information helps. Be sure to post some of your photos here when you get back. Konza is one of my favorite places. It's very peaceful and quiet, and pretty much unchanged from pioneer days. Good luck!
Scott