Author Archives: Flying Cloud Photographer

In retrospect this was likely a Dirt Devil – you ask what is the difference : A dust devil typically also has weaker winds than a tornado. A gustnado can have a circulation of wind on the ground with an associated thunderstorm nearby but there is not a direct connection between the gustnado and theContinue reading “Kansas Gustanado”

The Pratt family established a working sheep ranch on the high plains in the late 19th century. They would leave a legacy that includes unique stone structures and a large photograph collection. The fascinating story begins in Yorkshire, England, and continues. Abraham Pratt (1827-1901), came to America as a young man, arriving in California duringContinue reading “Cottonwood Ranch”

“Go to Kansas” Formerly enslaved African Americans left Kentucky at the end of the of post-Civil War Reconstruction period to experience freedom in the “Promised Land” of Kansas. Nicodemus represents the involvement of African Americans in the westward expansion and settlement of the Great Plains. It is the oldest and only remaining Black settlement westContinue reading “Nicodemus, Kansas”

It’s more truth than anything to say I feel that a visit to the Prairie , especially the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Preserve, is like getting recharged at a church of brick and mortar

This development with Too Large Houses on Too Small Lots is just outside the boudaries of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Preserve. Besides being ugly they are too close to each other which is one of the factors why the Marshall Fire of several months ago was so devastating. Yes the undergrowth was flammable andContinue reading “Little House on the Prairie – NOT”

That’s right folks, Mt. Sunflower just across the border with Colorado is the highest point in the Sunflower state. At 4039 ft. ASL. I reached here without any supplemental oxygen! Nor with the aide of Sherpas!

My new part time job takes me to Goodland, KS as well as to Atwood. I am just now exploring this town in NW Kansas. The photo on the right is one of their claims to fame. A large Van Gogh picture on a huge easel. Not sure how that came about – perhaps fromContinue reading “Goodland, KS”

Located in Colby, Kansas is a wonderful Prairie Museum. While of particular interest to people from that area it is also quite the trip back in time. Both inside and outside the exhibits are well done. They have the largest barn in Kansas on site.

Top row is the newest State Park in Kansas – Little Jerusalem State Park south of Oakley, KS on HWY 83. On the same road and north of LJSP is Monument Rock seen on the bottom row of pics. Other formations to see in Kansas include: Castle Rock in Gove County, Rock City Minneapolis KS,Continue reading “Geological Formations of Western Kansas”

I needed some ‘rural’ time so I took I 76 to Hudson, CO then State Highway 52 east till the junction of Highway 79. Then I went south to Bennett Co, then home on I70. These are photos made with the Film versions of the Leica CL shot on Ilford XP2 but developed in BWContinue reading “Travels East of Denver”