Later, well after the rising sun finally chases shadows from the broad land's folds and creases--when rising heat waves shimmer white above the shortgrass prairie--will the daily parade to life-sustaining water begin: timid cottontails, flitting
ground larks, long-eared jackass rabbits, skittish prairie dogs, ungainly sage grouse, and--if I'm patient and lucky I small bands of thirsty pronghorn antelope.