Flint Hills Spring Burn

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    FLINT HILLS, KANSAS, USA -- Ranchers burn the Flint Hills of Kansas, repeating natures patterns of fire and growth on the prairie. The grasses evolved to encourage the fires that quickly burn off the old, dry growth and allow the new Spring grass to flourish. The burning also battles the incursion of young trees, the natural enemy of the grasses in their fight for territory. Shot from a small plane after sunset I was at the limit of what I could shoot at the time I did this story for National Geographic. You can see more at my web site: www.jimrichardsonphotography.com

    fattypatty, formerly endangered, and 75 other people added this photo to their favorites.

    1. Spencer Black 47 months ago | reply

      Love the lines of fire, this would make a sweet time-lapse (if you had ground to shoot from)

    2. {RuthMaria} 47 months ago | reply

      Wow this is cool!

    3. jdawn1982 41 months ago | reply

      This is beautiful. There is something about the hills ablaze in late May.

    4. JC Richardson 29 months ago | reply

      Spencer, no time-lapse on this one. Shot from a small plane at dusk.

    5. Jon in Thailand 5 months ago | reply


      I was wondering just how you got above the smoke..;-)

    6. V. Vasant Kumar 3 months ago | reply

      Awesome and exceptional shot

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