Seirer_181109_8507035.jpgLeaves, caught by bare twigs, provide splashes of color in a snow-covered field at Kanopolis Reservoir in Ellsworth County.

Leaves, caught by bare twigs, provide splashes of color in a snow-covered field at Kanopolis Reservoir in Ellsworth County.

Seirer_181108_8506711.jpgSnowy River Heavy, wet snow covers the trees that line the banks of the Smoky Hill River. A newly built hiking trail follows the river at the Marty Bender Nature Area. The nature area is on Land Institute property just southeast of Salina.

Heavy, wet snow covers the trees that line the banks of the Smoky Hill River. A newly built hiking trail follows the river at the Marty Bender Nature Area. The nature area is on Land Institute property just southeast of Salina.

Seirer_181108_8506748.jpgPremature Snow? A tree, not quite finished shedding its leaves in preparation for winter, stands out in a snow-covered scene enveloping a pond at the Marty Bender Nature Area of The Land Institute.

A tree, not quite finished shedding its leaves in preparation for winter, stands out in a snow-covered scene enveloping a pond at the Marty Bender Nature Area of The Land Institute.

Seirer_181108_8506696.jpgThe Woods, In Snow Snow blankets the woods at the Marty Bender Nature Area southeast of Salina. The early-November snow measured about 3 inches. The nature area is part of The Land Institute and includes a 3-mile trail through woods, prairie and along the Smoky Hill River.

Snow blankets the woods at the Marty Bender Nature Area southeast of Salina. The early-November snow measured about 3 inches. The nature area is part of The Land Institute and includes a 3-mile trail through woods, prairie and along the Smoky Hill River.

Seirer_181019_8506261.jpgSorghum Harvest A field of tall sorghum is cut for cattle feed in northeast Ellis County. The damp sorghum is cut at ground level and chopped before being shot into a trailing truck, one of four working in this field. The harvested sorghum is hauled seven miles to a giant pile, where it is compacted and allowed to ferment for about a month before it is ready to be fed to cattle.

A field of tall sorghum is cut for cattle feed in northeast Ellis County. The damp sorghum is cut at ground level and chopped before being shot into a trailing truck, one of four working in this field. The harvested sorghum is hauled seven miles to a giant pile, where it is compacted and allowed to ferment for about a month before it is ready to be fed to cattle.

Seirer_181026_8506510.jpgContemplative Artist Aluminum flag poles, wearing the colors of the prairie, are mounted at a sharp angle to serve as sundials in an art project completed by artist Owen Brown at The Land Institute. Brown, addressing a crowd at the opening of the exhibit, is from Minneapolis, Minn. As an artist-in-residence for two weeks at The Land, Brown created three sets of the sundials to mark the passage of time. The distance between the first two sets, 1,190 feet, represents the distance traveled through the earth's rotation in just one second. Also on view are sculptures including items such as sea shells, suggestiong geologic time as this area once was covered by seas. The permanent exhibit, called Units of Measure, is erected at The Land's Marty Bender Nature Area, which includes a recently built hiking trail. Brown's hope is that the exhibit is seen as contemplative, stirring thoughts of time, beauty and nature.

Aluminum flag poles, wearing the colors of the prairie, are mounted at a sharp angle to serve as sundials in an art project completed by artist Owen Brown at The Land Institute. Brown, addressing a crowd at the opening of the exhibit, is from Minneapolis, Minn. As an artist-in-residence for two weeks at The Land, he created three sets of the sundials to mark the passage of time. The distance between the first two sets, 1,190 feet, represents the distance traveled through the earth's rotation in just one second. Also on view are sculptures including items such as sea shells, suggestiong geologic time as this area once was covered by seas. The permanent exhibit, called Units of Measure, is erected at The Land's Marty Bender Nature Area, which includes a recently built hiking trail. Brown's hope is that the exhibit is seen as contemplative, stirring thoughts of time, beauty and nature.

Seirer_181026_8506570.jpgArt Tour Leader Artist Owen Brown leads a group of visitors on a tour of his art installation called Units of Measurement. The project at The Land Institute's Marty Bender Nature Area, depicts the meaning of time through the use of three sets of sundials and sculptures. Brown resides at Minneapolis, Minn., and spent two weeks as artist-in-residence at The Land this fall to create the exhibit.

Artist Owen Brown leads a group of visitors on a tour of his art installation called Units of Measurement. The project at The Land Institute's Marty Bender Nature Area, depicts the meaning of time through the use of three sets of sundials and sculptures. Brown resides at Minneapolis, Minn., and spent two weeks as artist-in-residence at The Land this fall to create the exhibit.

Seirer_181019_8503929.jpgLight and Shadow Only splashes of sunlight are left as the sun slips to the horizon, leaving increasing shadows on the landscape. This scene in in the northeastern corner of Ellis County.

Only splashes of sunlight are left as the sun slips to the horizon, leaving increasing shadows on the landscape. This scene in in the northeastern corner of Ellis County.

Seirer_181019_8506221.jpgNo. 4214 No. 4214, part of a small herd of cattle grazing in a pasture in northeast Ellis County, scrutinizes a visitor. Its red hide is highlighted by strong backlighting.

No. 4214, part of a small herd of cattle grazing in a pasture in northeast Ellis County, scrutinizes a visitor. Its rich red hide is highlighted by strong backlighting.

Seirer_181015_8506120.jpgAlong the Trail Snow nestles into a fallen limb along a nature trail buiilt at the Marty Bender Nature Area of The Land Institute, Salina The trail of more than 3 miles was built this year by volunteers. It leads hikers through wooded areas along the Smoky Hill River to upland grasses and canyons.

Snow nestles into a fallen limb along a nature trail buiilt at the Marty Bender Nature Area of The Land Institute, Salina The trail of more than 3 miles was built this year by volunteers. It leads hikers through wooded areas along the Smoky Hill River to upland grasses and canyons.