Thursday, August 6, 2015

Fields of Sunshine

Thank you Mr./Mrs. Farmer for planting sunflowers for me to enjoy… and everyone else that passes by.

Sunflower Field

Far Guy wanted to run an errand in town, it was partly sunny…could we stop by the sunflower field?  The answer was yes…what fun!  Chance and I waited together in the car whilst Far Guy ordered the cake for his Class Reunion and talked with Jackie about the posters that they will put up on Main Street. ( They are the class babysitters.) After a quick stop at the Post Office we were on our way home and stopped at the Sunflower Field.

If I were a farmer I would only plant Sunflowers and Flax…that’s it..only the real pretty crops.  The crops that make you smile!

Busy Bees

The bees were busy.

Some are growing heavy

Some of the heads  are starting to turn downward already.   One sunflower head can have between 1,000 and 2,000 seeds.  They turn downward naturally to avoid raindrops damaging the seeds with moisture and it also makes it more difficult for birds to eat the seeds.

Many heads yet to open

There are many flowers yet to open..some are still following the sun…heliotropism…that is when sunflower buds (before the yellow ray flowers appear) follow the sun and return to the east before dawn to await the morning sun.  Following the sun makes them grow faster and keeps them cozy warm.  When the ray flowers appear(the bright yellow ones)they stop moving and  get down to the business of making seeds….and they all face east.

I hope the photos made you smile, I know I will enjoy them next winter when it is whatever below zero.

Blog Signature

25 comments:

linda m said...

Sunflowers are such happy flowers; love them. Thanks for sharing your pictures as I don't get to see many fields of happy flowers around here.

DJan said...

I didn't know that heliotropism is where the flowers follow the sun, I thought it was a color! Love that HUGE field of sunflowers. Gosh, they made me smile today, long before the snow flies. :-)

MTWaggin said...

I miss seeing those fields of sunflowers. I think you need to add lavender to the list as well! :) Looks pretty and smells divine.

Wendy said...

I am smiling! Thank you.

Gail said...

Stunning photos. Yes, they made me smile.

Karen said...

They are a happy flower for sure! Do these sunflowers just have the single head, or do they get side shoots that flower too? Reminds me of the fields of daffodils that we sometimes see blooming here. Usually the flowers are mostly picked, but sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate (is too warm and sunny in the Spring) and the field gets ahead of the pickers.

Tired Teacher said...

I agree flax and sunflowers are "happy" crops. I love these photos, well done! I'm glad you accompanied Far Guy.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Hi Karen, Just single heads:)

Terry and Linda said...

I like your idea of happy crops...although seeing the corn here, makes me happy.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Intense Guy said...

There is something about a sunflower that makes you want to smile. :)

Pauline Persing said...

One of our favorite memories of our trip west via the northern route in late August many years ago is of the beautiful Sunflower fields.

L. D. said...

They are one of my favorites. Mine are just now forming buds. My volunteer ones from the birdseed are very far along.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous shots and so cheery too!

Henny Penny said...

That is the prettiest sight I've seen growing this summer! I can't even imagine seeing it in person. It is so dry here the few sunflowers I had have withered up. We need rain bad!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I didn't know any of that! I will have to remember when I plant sunflowers next year..I can't wait!

Travels with Emma said...

I miss those fields along the road to Fargo. Sunflowers are one of my favorites too.

Anonymous said...

How beautiful! We saw a small patch the other day when we were driving around. Thanks for sharing the cheerfulness!

Mac n' Janet said...

Great pictures, love sunflowers and sunflower seeds.

Linda Kay said...

Those are definitely a sight to behold!

Red said...

Well, the photos made me smile but you also packed in a lot of information.

Linda W. said...

I love me a good field of sunflowers. Looks like you found a nice one! Thanks for sharing your photos.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Sunflowers make me smile! I'd love to see a field full of them!

Jacqi Stevens said...

Time for another class reunion already? Seems like you just wrote about that. How time flies :)

Yes, those sunflowers are keepers. I had no idea each bloom contained so many seeds. We used to have a big sunflower concern out on the islands in the delta here. Wonder how many seeds they gleaned per field out there...

Cynthia said...

Wow, gorgeous! You could plant canola on your imaginary farm, too. Gorgeous fields of those just north in Manitoba.

thecrazysheeplady said...

Love them!