Kelvin Heitmann's Page

I am intrigued by the simplicity and complexity of water and its cycles. Life on earth is intricately connected to these cycles and properties. Even in biomes that are extremely dry, life can be found clinging to water molecules. For this reason, I am concerned about the depletion of the underground aquife… Continue

Today I stopped beside a Prairie rattlesnake on a country road near Satanta, Kansas. Many people purposefully run over any snake several times with their vehicle. I stopped, looked, took several pictures, and drove away. The snake was alarmed, but unharmed. My reasoning for allowing the snake to live is that I view rattlesnakes as valuable. Not only are they great predators--eating mice--but they are also natives of the prairie that fill an important niche. I know a poisonous snake bite could ma… Continue

I grew up in northeast Kansas in the suburbs of Topeka. The fields nearby were always flowing over with spring rains and provided a wonderful place for exploration. It was around these ponds and pools that I heard a chorus of voices of the Western Chorus Frog. These diminuitive frogs made a lot of sound every spring. I missed hearing their voices here in Satanta last year. But not in 2009! This year the rain came and filled the lower areas of a field near town. My friends, the heralds of spring… Continue