In late summer and fall, prairie grasses in Kansas’ Flint Hills can grow as high as eight feet tall. But right now, the grass is still short and wildflowers are the stars of the prairie.

The grass stems are used by bees to overwinter and by birds to build their nests. Grass seeds feed the birds in winters, and butterflies and moths use the cover to pupate. Some native grasses are also ...

The gently rounded hills roll like ocean swells—nothing but amber grass and prairie flowers to the edge of the sky. To the west, a lone bison grazes in a creek draw.