Morning on Butterfly Hill

This piece was painted on location out on the Konza prairie for my Second Saturday Paint Out on June 8, 2019. I was granted painting privileges out on the non-public side of the prairie in an area dubbed "Butterfly Hill." It is where special tours are given to for people to experience and see the rich diversity of plant life in the tall grass prairie. June is traditionally rich with a variety of wildflowers blooming. 

This year's heavy spring rains have everything lush and brilliantly colored. But on this morning it was sweltering with humidity as we started our morning work; the temperature wasn't so bad in the mid 70's but the humidity had to be matching it and there was minimal breeze and a warm sun.....BUT with all the rain we have been having, I was so thankful for the sunshine!

 I love the play of light on the shapes of the hills. In the foreground we have the rich colors of butterfly milkweed and cat's claw sensitive briar.