The electrical grid that covers Kansas and western Missouri is expected to have plenty of power to keep up with demand this winter. But in the event of severe weather, the St. Louis area could be at risk.
Greg Kramos / USFWS
Federal wildlife officials have listed the iconic lesser prairie chicken as threatened across its Kansas habitat. The bird is in even more dire straits in the southwest, where it will be listed as endangered.
Bison grazing on native prairie for three decades transformed the landscape, allowing wildflowers to thrive that can feed legions of bees and butterflies.
Ken Lassman
These blackbirds are taking off after the sun has slipped below the horizon, having collected in this tree for at least an hour. It’s not uncommon to find flocks gathering in the same tree or stretch of powerline day after day, even year after year.
Ken Lassman
Clear skies and trees cleared of their leaves after recent rains make it easier to spot migratory geese and other birds either passing through or leaving. Strong southerly winds may back them up as they wait for north winds to carry them south with less energy expended.
The ongoing drought in Kansas isn’t only parching crops and drinking water supplies. It’s also hurting wildlife as the Kansas wetlands that normally act as vital pit stops for migrating birds dry up.
Ken Lassman
As prairies fade at the end of the season, there are still some colors to be found, such as the lingering goldenrod in the upper right hand corner. Taking photos from above will also reveal the incredibly varied textures and beautiful shapes lying within.
Tricia Masenthin/Lawrence Times
Daniel Lassman has more than two decades of experience with controlled burns in rural Douglas County, but a recent burn on his family’s farm caused him to take a step back and re-evaluate his game plan.
Ken Lassman
With most bodies of water well below normal, shorelines have become pathways well worth exploring.
Max McCoy
An agency charged with conserving groundwater in arid western Kansas plans to truck thousands of gallons of water from the Missouri River nearly 400 miles almost to the Colorado border.
