Sunday, August 23, 2009

Sunday Safari

We walked the Konza Prairie.

This is an 8600 acre tract of native tallgrass prairie

in Kansas.


We walked while the cicadas sang


and the Bluets flew.

New to us Dragonflies and butterflies flew about.

I believe this is a Sleepy Orange.




The Variegated Fritillaries were out.


There is time for one more brood before frost.

There were caterpillars.

I have identifying work to do.



The Viceroy Butterfly is a mimic of the Monarch.





Both were flying today.



There are lizards on the prairie



and Painted Ladies.


Eastern Kingbirds hunted bugs.


We walked for 5 and half hours.
I am so pleased to have walked on this beautiful Prairie.

Happy Sunday Safari.

18 comments:

Cheryl said...

Oh Sherry....is this heaven on earth? I think it may be....the post brought tears to my eyes....so full of life.

I beautiful and wonderous post.....
many blessings in one day.
I expect you were weary but very very content.....

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful place full of creatures of all kinds. Such places are a wonder where you want to stay forever...

btw Thank you very much for slippers pattern!!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What a gorgeous prairie. You found so many wonderful critters. I love seeing the lizard. I have never seen such a lizard. I wonder what kind it is. ?? I will try to find out. FUN FUN

sweetbay said...

That prairie is beautiful -- what a view -- and teeming with life! I love your pictures.

Flat Creek Farm said...

What a long and beautiful walk! Beautiful, just beautiful.. all of them. Mr. Lizard too :) Thank you for sharing your picture perfect day. -Tammy

ShySongbird said...

What a wonderful safari again Sherry. The Dragonflies and Butterflies are so beautiful, I really love the Sleepy Orange Butterfly, I have never heard of that one before. I loved seeing the Eastern Kingbirds too.

I think your 5 and a half hours must have seemed much shorter in such a beautiful place as that. Thank you for sharing it.

Tammie Lee said...

It looks as though you had a wonderful time. So many lovelies you have shared with us.

kkryno said...

What a glorious walk that must have been! The pics are extraordinary.

We spent the week-end hunting for blue berries. We found about two thirds of a large Ziplock bagful. Not quite enough for the winter, but it's a great start (that is if I can keep K. out of them!)

;)

Have a great week!

Love, Vikki.

Juliet said...

I love the way that dragonfly is clinging on to the flower spike with all its legs - it looks very determined!

You have actually photographed some butterflies I recognise this week - several we have in the UK. The sleepy orange is a new one on me though - isn't it striking? :-D

Marimoy said...

Sherry, this is a superb safari. I do believe that is a Sleepy Orange. The host for these are various species of Cassia, like most sulphurs. The caterpillars look vaguely like some day-flying wasp moths. That lizard though! He made my day! What a beauty! You have an amazing gift.

marmee said...

what a wondrous walk on the prairie...i loved seeing the lizard. so many varieties of butterflies...caterpillars...dragonflies. the cicadas are singing here too. thanks for taking us to the prairie.

Marvin said...

A beautiful Sunday Safari on the prairie. I don't remember ever before seeing a Sleepy Orange. Thanks for such a great shot.

Frances said...

This is just too wonderful. We are quite interested in prairies after the spring fling in Chicago and seeing those plantings at the Lurie and CBG. Your photos of the denizens in Kansas are breathtaking! :-)
Frances

Sunita Mohan said...

What an absolutely fantastic walk you must've had, Sherry! I cant imagine such an overload of beauty in one place. Those Bluets are such a vibrant blue and that Sleepy Orange is anything but sleepy I think... a more brilliant orange just isnt possible. Is it?
Lovely photos! Thanks so much for sharing

Chrissie said...

My goodness, 5 1/2 hours! You must have slept well that night :-) Wonderful photos as always. I enjoyed your Sunday Safari

Anonymous said...

Sorry, but there are a few animals I simply cannot stand: mosquitoes, flies, rats, and cicada! I try to get over my disposition, but it is difficult to do so.

Wendy said...

My goodness! That was a looooong walk!! You certainly had a good Sunday. Thank you for sharing your pics with us.

I love the fuzzy caterpillars and the butterflies, actually everything looked good.
Hugs,

Grammy said...

Hi Sherry, sorry I have been away so long. Thanks for stopping by. Would you mind if I use your dragon fly as a model to draw. I have been so into art and learning to draw ant paint. I still love my camera. But the art is more of a healing inner child thing. I have no plans to be an artiest. I am healing. And it is awesome.
Have a wonderful week.