I wrote in a post just week or so back about my attack of the grasses, that being the Tallgrass of the Kansas Flinthills and Prairies. This is the time of year when they are foremost on my mind when I’m out on a photography expedition.
One can live virtually anywhere in Kansas and not have to travel far to find our precious Tallgrasses. Big & little bluestem is planted in many places as a native grass specie. Or more than likely it has found a foothold in the near country sides and roadways. But to truly enjoy this prairie companion one must stand by it’s side on the rolling prairie. Surrounded by native grasses for as far as the eye can see. Alone, yet surrounded by life. Thank goodness for this illustrious flora masterpiece. At least from my stand point, there is really nothing better in the world of flora than bluestem grass. This photo of big bluestem, also called turkey foot for seed heads resembling a turkey foot, (dah) kept me occupied for over an hour while I attempted to beat the Kansas wind and setting sun to capture a motionless shot. I may have not got absolute stillness but nonetheless I’m happy with it.
Without boring you with trivial info on prairie grasses, I would rec0mend if interested, to learn more about these life giving plant species and the lands they thrive on. One good place to start would be Konza a tallgrass prairie. Grasses after all are the one reason man has been able to proliferate world wide. May sound amazing but truthful nonetheless.
I have spent many many hours that have stretched into days then to weeks and chasing these grasses of late season prominence. Looking, searching for that golden view of shining stem and seed.
A couple of years back on a still late afternoon, as the sun quickly lowered in the western sky, I was drawn to the silhouette if these grasses, turkey foot to be precise. I have yet to repeat these situations after many many attempts. Seed heads perfectly formed, motionless wind, and the sun just in the right place composed along with the grasses.
It was on that day at last light I was able to create these portraits of the big bluestem. They remain among my favorites and I’m sure always will.
