I am in Kansas on business for two weeks and stayed over on the weekend. Wanted to get out and see some of the countryside. Contacted Wayne R about any prairie suggestions and he gave me some info on the Flint Hills. I planned out a route to make the approx 100 mile drive.
Left Overland Park in the rain at 4am. Rain and thunderstorms all the way, even got some small hail as I went through Topeka. I considered stopping and trying to get the storms but I had in mind getting to Alma and the Flint Hills for sunrise.
Then as it was getting light around me I considered stopping between Topeka and Alma off I-70 but since the light was not great so I kept going. Passed out from the last storm just west of Topeka into mostly clear sky. Found Alma and the drive up into the hills that Wayne suggested. I set up my camera 5 minutes before sunrise. It was a nice sunrise, the storms did not cooperate with making that amazing storm light but it was still nice. Spent the morning up on Skyline Drive Everytime I got back in the car I never drove more than 100 yards before stopping again.
Made it across the gravel section and then looped around to the south. Had given thought to driving south toward Emporia and the Tall Grass preserve but ended up looping back to Alma and then out toward Konza Prairie. Did a 3 mile hike there, the clouds were all gone by then but it was a nice hike. On the way back I took the Deep Creek road and went through Alma a third time.
Finally made it back to Overland Park after 5pm since the clouds were not shaping up for a good sunset.
Long day. Great day drive and just what I was looking for. Thanks to Wayne for the info! Being able to get that kind of location advice made all the difference for me since I had not been west of KC before and I was able to get to a nice view for the sunrise.
Here is the sunrise. I know most would have used a long lens but in trying to avoid checking a bag I brought only one lens-my 10-20. The storm clouds are fading fast and there was alot of light in the sky above them. I could see some rain falling that might come through here. This was a 2 shot HDR but I might rework it.
And lastly, my main excitement. I saw red, black and yellow move about 5 feet away in mid morning light. After jumping quickly back I took a moment to look and confirm "red touch black, wont hurt Jack" or at least thought that was right....
Anyway, I made use of the tripod and remote to get about as close as both he and I wanted.
I've never seen this snake in Kansas, nice find.
And glad to see you took the time to wander through a small portion of Kansas.
Getting further off the beaten path yields a wide variety of photos. The Flint Hill are a major attraction.
The sharing of your efforts is appreciated.
the fisch
Hey Darren, Nice shots of the Flint Hills. We had a "Gathering" in the Flint Hills a few years ago and it was an eye opener for me. The only downside was that it was in the middle of winter and around 23 degrees with 20 to 30 mph winds. Wayne was there... It is an area well worth the time and a new shot is around each bend of the dusty, windy road. I like your shots - they bring back memories of the winter shoot.
Darren, It looks like Wayne gave you some great directions, he knows that area well. I was there that day in winter with Merle and the others as well and that is the only time I saw it in person. I t looks great in Spring.
I like photographing the open country and enjoyed the Flint Hills area.
It is a shame we dont have a national park that preserves tall grass prairie. I know there are a few things the Nature Conservancy is involved with but I'd like to see something like 100,000+ acres. That might give it more of the attention it really deserves.
Darren, we do have the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve not too far from where you were. It's not 100,000 acres more like about 10,000, but considering the history of public land in Kansas, that is a lot. There is also the Konza Prairie near Manhattan that is about 8,000 acres.
Beautiful shots Darren, wish I would have been able to join you!
Posted by Darren Huski on May 10, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Ken, I had considered driving down to the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve on Sunday but with the lack of clouds at 5am and the Weather Channel showing all the rain in Nebraska, I went to the Kill Creek Regional Park and spent most of the day there. Some nice scenics and a good place to walk, plus alot closer of a drive. Also, FWIW my rental car is not a comfortable one for long drives and after being out all day Saturday I was ok with not doing another 250-300 mile day in it........
Scott, I had thought about putting out a call to the other Kansas folks but my work schedule was keeping me in the office until 8pm or later and since I had not been to the Flint Hills before, I was not sure if I could make it all work to meet people. So rather than try to organize a meet for someplace I had never been I thought to just go alone this time. But next time I do something like this I would like to see about meeting up with some of the NPN folks.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on October 20, 2011 at 4:57 PM
Hi Darren, it's October now and I'm not really sure how I could have missed seeing this post of yours all this time. I'm really glad that I was able to help you out with a few tips on good Flint Hills scenes. Nice work all around. Next time your in my neck of the woods (err prairie) I hope we can get together.
Discussion
11 repliesLeft Overland Park in the rain at 4am. Rain and thunderstorms all the way, even got some small hail as I went through Topeka. I considered stopping and trying to get the storms but I had in mind getting to Alma and the Flint Hills for sunrise.
Then as it was getting light around me I considered stopping between Topeka and Alma off I-70 but since the light was not great so I kept going. Passed out from the last storm just west of Topeka into mostly clear sky. Found Alma and the drive up into the hills that Wayne suggested. I set up my camera 5 minutes before sunrise. It was a nice sunrise, the storms did not cooperate with making that amazing storm light but it was still nice. Spent the morning up on Skyline Drive Everytime I got back in the car I never drove more than 100 yards before stopping again.
Made it across the gravel section and then looped around to the south. Had given thought to driving south toward Emporia and the Tall Grass preserve but ended up looping back to Alma and then out toward Konza Prairie. Did a 3 mile hike there, the clouds were all gone by then but it was a nice hike. On the way back I took the Deep Creek road and went through Alma a third time.
Finally made it back to Overland Park after 5pm since the clouds were not shaping up for a good sunset.
Long day. Great day drive and just what I was looking for. Thanks to Wayne for the info! Being able to get that kind of location advice made all the difference for me since I had not been west of KC before and I was able to get to a nice view for the sunrise.
Here is the sunrise. I know most would have used a long lens but in trying to avoid checking a bag I brought only one lens-my 10-20. The storm clouds are fading fast and there was alot of light in the sky above them. I could see some rain falling that might come through here. This was a 2 shot HDR but I might rework it.
Anyway, I made use of the tripod and remote to get about as close as both he and I wanted.
And glad to see you took the time to wander through a small portion of Kansas.
Getting further off the beaten path yields a wide variety of photos. The Flint Hill are a major attraction.
The sharing of your efforts is appreciated.
the fisch
cook
It is a shame we dont have a national park that preserves tall grass prairie. I know there are a few things the Nature Conservancy is involved with but I'd like to see something like 100,000+ acres. That might give it more of the attention it really deserves.
Scott, I had thought about putting out a call to the other Kansas folks but my work schedule was keeping me in the office until 8pm or later and since I had not been to the Flint Hills before, I was not sure if I could make it all work to meet people. So rather than try to organize a meet for someplace I had never been I thought to just go alone this time. But next time I do something like this I would like to see about meeting up with some of the NPN folks.