Observatory Hill, Winfield KS

06/03/2026

One step closer to our chapel dedication Saturday morning. I figured out three days ago that we didn't have a stand for the bible on the altar, so here it is. Note: the dedication will take place during St. John's College alumni private visit in the morning. The public will be invited from 1-4PM.

06/02/2026

Yesterday ended kind of scary with the deer. The mom doe lead the fawn off property, then immediately jumped the 8th Ave fence to come back on. But the fawn couldn't jump the fence and didn't circle back to the driveway to get in. For the next 24 hours only the mom doe was visible and she appeared to be looking for her fawn. Final, after 26 hours, the mom doe and fawn showed up at the pond right behind the house. We watched them from about 12 feet way. Very cool and cute.

05/31/2026

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: We have our first fawn of the year! We've had a pregnant doe showing up for the past month, but I'm not sure if this momma doe is the same doe. We're not sure if the fawn was born on the hill because it appears to be several days or a week old (more stable than a true new-born). Also confusing the situation, we had a pair of does (mother & daughter?) wondering the Hill just six hours before we first noticed the fawn. The last mother doe who gave birth on the Hill aggressively chased all other animals off the Hill. And as you saw yesterday. I ran into a doe on the Hill (momma?) yesterday evening. So we're not sure if the fawn has been hiding for the past 20-48 hours, or if the momma doe brought the fawn to the Hill after birthing it somewhere else. We'll keep you posted as to the potential impact that this situation have on the Open Hill event this coming Saturday.

05/31/2026

A doe has been hanging around for the past 24 hours. This evening she and I ran into each other as I was making the feeder rounds.

05/30/2026

One Week; that's how close we are to the next Open Hill event. If you would be so kind; we never know how many visitors will attend. So, if you could respond to this announcement that you are planning to attend, that would really help us to prepare.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS, JUNE 6th! For those who have always wonder; here's your chance to see and discover Winfield's historic Observatory Hill. For those who have been here before, come see the new exhibits. Watch for more info. 😲🌲🦌🌲

05/30/2026

In-coming.

05/30/2026

This evening, from the Hill. Storms is a coming.

05/27/2026

Preparations for the Open Hill continue.

05/26/2026

Beautiful day around the Hill. Here's a quick fly-by of some of the trails.

05/26/2026

And this is why foxes are not good neighbors on the hill. They habitually "mark" the corn that the deer are eating. The raccoons aren't much better.