This is a bit more photo heavy than normal. As most of you no I usual just post in single shot. However, I really enjoyed a couple of trips I made to the Sunflower Maze (not really a maze) in Sussex NJ, so I wanted to share the experience. These flowers are amazing! Sunset and Sunflowers by Gary, on Flickr {} A Foggy sunrise {} {} {} {} {} Wildflowers walk with the SEL55F18Z {} {} Sunlit Sunflowers in the Afternoon + The CPL made things pop {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} Most shots were made with A7r + Zony 16-35 and Zony 55. A couple used and adapted Tamron 90mm macro.
Thanks Will, Roundball. I got a season pass to be able to go back whenever I want. My kids never saw sunflowers up in real life, so I'll take them. They are going to be amazed at how big they are. I can also explore macro and wildflower opportunities.
Thanks David. Side note: A few photographers were trying to get the owners to have a new moon session for milkyway shots over the flowers. They were hesitant, not because they mind. They are actually intrigued. However, they people need to understand that they will not be alone during the night. There are many night creatures that call the farm home. This city boy just got a little less fascinated with the prospect.
We've got plenty of night creatures out here in rural Oregon. Bears and cougars and such generally don't want anything to do with us. It's the two-legged creatures that are the most troublesome.
Great pictures Gary. We have one (1) sun flower plant in our garden. For some reason, I can't get over the feeling that someone, somewhere, considers them weeds.
O K. If you say so. @roundball Ha ha. They are amazing, but in some ways they look like what would happen to Dandelions in a bad horror movie. What I learned is they are far from weeds. Especially the ones we see in places like this. Sunflowers are big business for the double whammy. People pay to see them when the are blooming and people pay for the seeds and oil afterwards. This variety is actually quite unnatural. They are this big because of serious controlled breeding. In the wild they would be lucky to grow 1 meter.
I'm sure our plant was/is from that genetically enhanced variety as it was well over 6 feet tall when it was in full bloom. Now, with the flowers wilted, it is somewhat less in stature. What happens to a Dandelion in a bad horror movie is a pretty good description. I like it!
Around here, while sunflowers are a significant cash crop they are also weeds. You see "volunteer" sunflowers everywhere along rural roadsides and in the ditches. I do not know if they are strays from enhanced varieties or not, but 3 feet or more is not terribly unusual tall. You sometimes see them five feet or even taller.
Well they are going to be everywhere because for a number of reasons. But this may explain it better. Basically the genetically enhanced variety were crossed with weeds to be more resilient. How A Sunflower Gene Crossed The Line From Weed To Crop
Great set Gary...and yes, a bit unusual for you to be posting loads. You should make it a habit. Honestly, I (I can't speak for the others here) enjoy seeing your pics
Interesting story. I am actually in North Dakota which was part of that story. We and our neighbor to the south - South Dakota - are by far the largest sunflower-producing states in the US. (Both dwarfed by Russian production.) There are many commercial fields near me. The wild ones have always grown fairly tall though, as long as I can remember and I am in my 50s. The fields do certainly make pretty pictures.
Thanks Mus. I really really appreciate this comment. I just don't get out to shoot much these days;life intervenes. I took the day off to unwind for this shoot. Hopefully things change. Big thanks for this compliment Nick.
