Prairie Walk – Searching the Earth

Middleton Prairie

Prairie Abstract © 2010 Bo Mackison

Walking the remnant prairie. Again. It calls me at this time of year, a nearly barren place at first glance. But what photographer only takes a first glance? I go to find miracles.

I’m greeted by a raven, screeching at me, he watches my movement through the grasses. Screeches loudly from his safe perch on a high branch in the oak tree. “Squawk-away-away-away!” he calls to me. I listen for awhile, then think perhaps he’ll fly away soon, so I can listen to the prairie’s quiet.

I begin a conversation with Raven, he squawks, I talk. “Fine. Sit there then. And hold still. I’ll change my lens and take a proper portrait of you.” I suppose he’s not the portrait type. He takes wing before I can unzip my pack.

I return to my search on the earth, finding little pieces of miracles as I walk. I capture the wonder of it all in notes and line drawings in my field journal and in my photographs. I don’t want this special prairie walk to be relegated to the realm of my memories, mostly forgotten.