For a number of years, I have been a conservationist, interested in preserving our dwindling natural resources. In recent years, I have added organic gardening to my interests and activities.

I have always enjoyed beautiful scenery, especially mountains, streams, rock formations, and trees. In October, 2007, I attended a joint symposium hosted by the Native Plant Society of Texas and the Native Prairies Association of Texas. The theme of the symposium was The Blackland and Grand Prairies and Grasslands of the Edwards Plateau. I was so impressed by the discussion of preserving and restoring our native prairies, that I have now added native prairies and native prairie grasses to my list of natural beauties to admire.

The photos in this essay, except for two that were taken in the awesome and beautiful Denali National Park in Alaska, and two that were taken in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, were taken in and near the Whitetail subdivision near Georgetown, Texas, where I live. We live in a rocky, hilly area with lots of trees, not in the Blackland Prairie, where the soil is black and very fertile. Our lots range from 2 to 20 acres in size. As you drive through our area, you can observe a few cows, sheep, goats, horses, and guineas. Many of the landscapes consist of native grasses that have grown here for hundreds of years. Some of the grasses are non-native, such as King Ranch (KR) Bluestem. There are also undeveloped lots where one can see small grassland "prairies".

This photo essay is intended to show a nice variety of prairie grasses, along with an adjacent area that has been overgrazed and thus overrun with Broomweed and other species.

I hope you enjoy the photos.

Aubrey Herzik
November 19, 2007

 

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