Journey Amidst the Sunflowers

[yourlibrarian]

Last year a nearby agricultural company grew a field of sunflowers and opened it to the public to walk through.



It was a perfect morning for the visit. The weeks of 90 degree temperatures dropped down to the 70s after some weekend rain and it was overcast. The field was also completely empty so we could stroll in any direction and not run into anyone.



This year they expanded on the idea and created a map of Illinois in it, with paths mirroring the interstates.

There were markers for the roads and cities they passed through as well as bordering states.



At one point we saw a bumblebee on the ground and wondered if it was dead, but it seemed to be moving and after a few moments it flew off. Maybe it was getting pollen overload from all these flowers.



Dragonflies were also about and at one point we saw a hummingbird zooming across the top of the flowers. But we were most startled to see a pheasant running across the path and disappearing in another clump of sunflowers. I spotted it first, and my partner only looked when three or four mourning doves suddenly flew up in the air.



The second time he saw the pheasant as well but it was too quick for me to get a photo of it. Interestingly, the mourning doves flew up again after it the second time too. I guess maybe they use the pheasant as a danger spotter.

Comments

[shirebound]

What a marvelous place! Your camera's close-up pics are incredibly clear.

[yourlibrarian]

Thanks! It's really nice to have it as an option for walks, although the timing tends to be short each year.

[adafrog]

Very cool.

[yourlibrarian]

It made for an enjoyable stroll 🙂

[spiffikins]

Thank you for sharing! Those are lovely photos - I especially love the overhead one showing the whole field of flowers!

[yourlibrarian]

Aw, I'm glad 🙂 The ones this year were not as high as last year (maybe 6 feet) but it was still a bit of an effort to get the overhead shot so I was glad it came out!

[cmcmck]

Bumblebees have a habit of taking their time!

[yourlibrarian]

Haha, well they have lots to linger over there.

[adore]

I was having a bad day and these pictures, and your descriptions of what you spotted, made me feel instantly better. What a lovely little ecosystem. Sunflowers are so cheerful even when their heads are lowered (due to the sun not being out, I assume).

[yourlibrarian]

Oh how wonderful! I would agree, sunflowers are just so bright and big that they definitely have an influence.

Hope today goes better.

[semielliptical]

What a great experience! Thanks for sharing the photos.

[yourlibrarian]

You're welcome!

Wow!

[ysabetwordsmith]

That is so beautiful. :D I love sunflowers.

I planted several packets this year, but I only got 2 tall ones, and a few small ones.

Re: Wow!

[yourlibrarian]

My sister found them hard to start as well but I'll bet some come back next year. They tend to spread easily and return regularly so you might be in luck.

[pensnest]

What a very cheering post! There is something irresistably smiley about sunflowers.

[yourlibrarian]

Totally agree!

[littlewolfteeth]

So pretty! Sunflowers are my favorite. Thank you for sharing. :)

[yourlibrarian]

You're welcome! I'll have some more to post later this week.