#DiscoveryGram With Matt Faupel

Sunset at Loess Hills National Wildlife Refuge.

A hummingbird moth graced me with his presence toward dusk at Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area.

One of my first stops on my trip was Tarkio Prairie Conservation Area. It is an important area, containing one the few known high quality native prairie remnants left in the glaciated plains of northern MO. The time of year isn't peak blooming season, but there were definitely some beautiful wildflowers waiting to be found.

Next stop on my trip was Monkey Mountain Conservation Area, adjoining the Missouri River flood plain. On the tops of these domed loess hills were restored savanna with gnarly old bur oaks, walnut, and basswood. Prairie grass covered the rest. It was peaceful hearing the wind through the trees as you could imagine many early settlers enjoying the same enchantment.

Monkey Mountain Conservation Area also has some great views of the Nodaway and Missouri River valleys since the hills prairies are rather open.

As luck would have it, my last night camping I was awoken by thunderstorms about 4am and made the decision to pack up before the rain hit. The clearing storms made for some dramatic sunrise photos though! Loess Hills National Wildlife Refuge.

My favorite place on my trip had to be Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area. The combination of loess prairie, rugged terrain, gnarly old bur oaks, and beautiful views make a surreal landscape you wouldn't expect in Missouri.

Bad place for building a nest . . . Great place for photographing a nest!

A little privacy please! Butterflies mating at Tarkio Prairie Conservation Area.

I suppose if you're going to be a centuries-old tree, you might as well pick a spot with an awesome view! Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area.

f you thought all of northern Missouri was flat, get ready for a leg workout! Where the loess hills of northwest MO meet the Missouri River flood plain, the loess soil erodes into steep, and rugged hills. Hiking up one of these rivals most hikes in the Missouri Ozarks.

Daniel Boone scuba diving or racoon out for a morning swim? H.F. Thurnau Conservation Area.

Photogenic Bullfrog at Loess Hills National Wildlife Refuge.