The Art of Nature in the Flinthills in Autumn

I love the Flinthills in the fall. The colors of the mature grasses, combined with the golden sun of early morning or late afternoon are truly spectacular.  Kansas is often thought of as flat and treeless, but in eastern Kansas, the hills are rolling and grass-covered and cattle still dot the countryside as we get closer and closer to winter.

We are bringing cattle home from the pastures this month. Even though there is grass there, the quality is greatly diminished. We have been supplementing the cattle with other sources of protein. Because of their miraculous four stomachs, cows can digest the fiber in grass but they still need more protein to stay healthy.

I love walking through the pastures this time of year--watching for wildlife, including deer and game birds as they prepare for winter. I am a glass half-full kind of gal, and I enjoy the beauty of nature in all the seasons, but I have to admit, I am not a big fan of winter.

So I will rejoice in the beauty and depth of color during Autumn, even as I dread the greys of winter. I do realize that winter is an important season for the native grasses to achieve dormancy, kill the insects and allow nature a rest period. But I will mourn the end of autumn and rejoice with the onset of spring.