Goat's Beard on Nelson Farm Canvas Print

This Goat's Beard flower looks southward toward an 1870s farmstead in Franklin County, KS. The Goat's Beard was brought to North America from Europe and has spread throughout the continent. Although not a native of North America there are now hybrid versions of this flower that only occur in North America.

Leaning against a tree, foot sore from endless walking through fields and fence rows, I rest, a shotgun cradled loosely in my arms. I've paused in a woodlot on the far side of my grandparent's farm. Dad is 40 yards to my left working his way through the timber with our dog. The air is cold, but the sun warms my face. It is quiet. I could take a nap right here. My mind begins to drift but something brings me back. Peeping and cooing noises slowly work into my consciousness along with the tick and scrape of leaves on the ground. The chaos of fall leaves, tree trunks and buck brush gives way to an orderly line of quail marching through the undercover in single file - bobbing their heads as they go. Less than 20 feet away the squad of...