Patches of true steppes on south-exposed slopes are scattered in the forest-steppe zone of West Siberia, few of them escaping ploughing out. In late spring they become white due to the feather grass (Stipa pennata L.), then it looses its plumage and make room to its relative Stipa capillata L. [local "tyrsa"], with non-pennate awns, painting these patcnes in light-green to yellow in middle summer and autumn, as on this view. 15 km S of the town Iskitim, Iskitim District, Novosibirsk Region, W Siberia, Russia. 10th September 1997.O. Kosterin.