Flames higher than the treetops.
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The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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April 2021
Flint Hills, Kansas
Yesterday was another on a string of long, hard, days wearing out the Wagon Trail between dad’s place and mine, hauling heavy truck loads in the effort to get his house cleaned out preparatory to sale. By 5 yesterday afternoon I was ready to be home in the peace and quiet that is the norm in the secluded habitat surrounding my “cabin in the woods” along the river. Since the Wagon Trail is my most productive photo opp location for raptors I always keep a sharp eye out for a chance at a good photo, and this 15 mile long stretch of Wagon Trail usually delivers.
However, because this is the seasonal pasture burning time, raptor haunts and habits have changed recently, even if only temporarily. I have seen far fewer hawks than normal. Maybe the photo will give you an idea why…
Charred remains of a pasture along the Wagon Trail with the fire still traveling toward the south.
Within days after being burned the pastures normally show new signs of life. Vibrant new growth of Bluestem grass springs up. With help from a spring shower the entire area looks like the world’s largest golfing fairway. Two weeks time will look like a fairway in urgent need of mowing, but prime grazing for feeder cattle trying to add weight as quickly as possible. By mid April most of the burning will be done, but things are behind schedule this year. Much has been done by now, but there is much yet to do. Many pastures have already been stacked with cattle.
I got about halfway home down the Wagon Trail and hadn’t seen one hawk, but as I admired the new growth I saw a large bird land in a small wash, so I slowed to a halt and grabbed my camera.
GBH/BIF along the Wagon Trail 4/9/21
Not sure this is 64’s Billy boy, but if it is he’s a long way from home. As you can see he is in flight. Didn’t take him long to wave his goodbyes.
GBH/BIF on the Wagon Trail 4/9/21.
I was nearing my “money hole”, so was watchful for another chance. And I got one.
Nothing great, but still a reward after enduring all the trail dust.
Just a few days prior I had along distance encounter with a Kestrel. While snapping the shutter release I had little confidence I was getting anything worthwhile. But when I uploaded and examined them on the computer I was very pleasantly surprised to see images of a particularly gorgeous bird, even of the photography was not perfect.
Kestrel BIF. Along the Wagon Trail.
Kestrel showing off not only it’s incredible prowess in flight, but also among the most beautiful assemblage of colorful markings I have ever seen. You have to find a wood duck to compete with striking beauty like this one shows.
As I neared the end of my trip home I saw a fire spire rising in the sky and it appeared to be on the hill just west of my place. By the time I was crossing the bridge over the river I could see the fire was actually a mile or so further west, so didn’t think much more about it. Came through my gate up by the hilltop road and was greeted by some very happy dogs. That’s always a fun time. Happen goes through his howling routine making sounds like “ah ruv rue”. Then on down the drive and through the gates in front of the main barn. Ah at last...home again, home again.
The dogs came in with me as I uploaded my cam card to see what I had captured. All of a sudden I began to hear a roaring sound, similar to what a tornado sounds like when it is getting close. Looked out the back door and saw smoke pouring over the hill and down by the upper barn.
Smoke rolling in on Appy Trails Ranch. Upper barn right behind the fuel tank.
The smoke was so thick, and becoming increasingly darker, I was very alarmed and worried about my thoroughbreds in that pasture, but not nearly as alarmed as what I saw when I stepped out onto the deck on the north side of our cabin.
I could see flames showing through the trees surrounding our cabin. They have to be CLOSE for me to be able to see them. 4/9/21
When I could see the flames through the trees I knew this was a serious situation. My western border is a narrow gravel road along the hilltop ridge. That ridge blocks my sight, so if I could see flames it meant they were right at my border. Within a couple minutes I went from worried to frantic…
This isn’t an unusually brilliant sunset glow. It is a full blown out of control prairie fire threatening the lives of everything at Appy Trails. This is one of those “what the hell can I do” moments, knowing the answer is go to the basement and hope for the best. The flames are reaching heights higher the the treetops.
Moment of truth, hoping my little road could pull off a miracle and stop this inferno. The sound produced by a fire like this is deafening and now there is a horrific wind propelling it right toward me.
My little gravel road is only about 15 feet wide. That isn’t much of a barrier. About this time I hear the sounds of sirens. Our local volunteer fire department is charging to the rescue! I’m out in my drive getting my eyes full of airborne debris and wondering why those firetrucks look so small as compared to the flames they are facing.
The one saving thing about a prairie fire is that for the most part it is grass fueling the fire. Grass burns very rapidly, so the fury of the fire doesn’t last long. The road and the firefighters patrolling it were able to halt the advance in the nick of time. Cleanup lasted well into the night and included putting out fires on my place caused by flying embers, but they did it!
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All’s well the ends well, and the ends this story, except for the part where all of you add horror stories from your piece of paradise! Carry on friends, I’m all ears...
