Sunflower Field

Helianthus or Sunflower is a genus of plants comprising about 70 species. There are only three species in South America. All of the remaining species of the Helianthus species are native to North America.

The Sunflower, whose round flower heads, in combination with the ligules, look like the sun. This and other species are cultivated in temperate regions, and some tropical regions, as food crops for humans, cattle, and poultry, and as ornamental plants.

Sunflowers are tall annual or perennial plants that can grow to a height of 120 inches or more. They bear one or more wide flower heads with bright yellow ray florets at the outside and yellow or maroon disc florets inside.

During growth, Sunflowers tilt during the day to face the sun, but stop once they begin blooming. This tracking of the sun in young Sunflower heads is called heliotropism. By the time they are mature, Sunflowers generally face east. The rough and hairy stem is branched in the upper part in wild plants, but is usually unbranched in domesticated cultivars. The leaves are surrated and and often sticky. The lower leaves are typically heart-shaped.

Eastern European countries, such as the Ukraine and Russia, are the top Sunflower producers in the world. They contribute half of the Sunflower seed production globally.

In 2016, Batey Farms had planted an entire field of Sunflowers, which brought throngs of visitors to their farm for photo ops. It was a hugely popular spot that year.

In 2017, I captured these images at Batey Farms in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Batey only planted about 12-15 short rows of Sunflowers last year, and didn't plant any this year, due to over saturated conditions.

Being a huge Sunflower fan, I wanted to put up a post showing all of the best images I could ream from my archives. Last year's Sunflower shoot came up in spades, as all of my favorites came from last year. What is your favorite Sunflower image? Mine is the second image. I love how perfectly the Sun illuminated the Sunflower. I hope you enjoyed this look back. I haven't been able to find any Sunflowers to photograph this Summer. Perhaps Batey will plant another crop next year. Have a wonderful weekend all. Relax, be safe and stay cool as Summer's heat is still upon us. ENJOY!

Linking to Home Link Party

Looking Back at 2017

Wherever you travel in the world, more than likely you carry a camera with you today. It may only be a camera on your smartphone or a tiny point and shoot or it might be a larger digital camera with interchangeable lenses. Here's a look back at a few of the venues I captured images of in the past year from the Tennessee all the way west to the Pacific.

One of my favorite places to visit in all of the States is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At the highest elevation, any visitor in an automobile can drive, sits Clingman's Dome. On this beautiful day in the Smokies, I captured this image of Fontana Lake way off in the distance with clouds floating by.

Capturing images of farms and farmland is by far one of the many photo ops photographers enjoy doing. To take this urban image, I only traveled about thirty miles north of my home and about a mile from the Kentucky/Tennessee northern border, just outside of Portland. This vintage barn with it's peeling red paint sits in a large field with beautiful yellow Canoli flowers in bloom in the background. I love to see the gorgeous fields of Canoli seeds in bloom every Spring. They are breathtaking.

Visiting Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is a great way to spend a few hours and get outdoors in nature. This Spring I walked over to the arboretum one last time only to find all of the visitors had dissipated and there was the beautiful arboretum just waiting for it's close up. It's yellows and purples and reds were so pretty, but I especially loved the urn at the back of the arboretum filled with flowers.

I flew across many states to land in the great state of California to spend a few days in San Francisco this Spring for a sales conference. While out on the Belle of San Francisco one evening, I walked out on the deck looking toward the Golden Gate bridge. When I turned back this image stared back at me. The city's lights were so beautiful I snapped a few images to share with you.

Photographing flowers is one of my favorite past times. Who doesn't love a beautiful flower. To capture Sunflower images this Summer, I traveled south almost an hour to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to Batey Farms to snap images of the beautiful Sunflowers in bloom. It was a picture perfect day with blue skies and tons of sunshine and the time of day couldn't have been more perfect for flower photography. It was the best photo opportunity I have ever had to take images of Sunflowers.

I hope you enjoyed coming along as I looked back at my travels in 2017. I can't wait to see where 2018 takes me. Are you ready for a major cold front that is on the verge of sweeping down from Canada in the next day or two. Today was 70 degrees and really didn't feel like Christmas at all, but this cold front will surely remedy that. Are you deckin' the halls. I trust you are or have and are now in hot pursuit of that perfect gift for your loved ones. My tree is decked, the gifts are purchased and I'm all set. Hope you are having a wonderful Holiday Season. ENJOY!

Before the Rain

The remnants of Hurricane Harvey will arrive Wednesday afternoon to drench Tennessee with 4-5 inches of rain. I thought I would share a little Sun beforehand from one of the many Sunflower images I captured earlier in the Summer at Batey Farms in Murfreesboro. Take care all, stay safe and dry as best you can. Prayers to those in Texas. ENJOY!

Dragonfly Snaps

After my Sunflower photo session, I drove to Murfree Springs Wetlands in Murfreesboro. In spite of harsh light and heat, I walked around the boardwalk. Not much was stirring except an abundance of Dragonflies. I 'think' this is a Blue Dasher resting on a plant near the edge of the boardwalk. His wings are so beautiful glistening in the sunlight.

I eyed the edge of the boardwalk and spotted what I believe is an Eastern Pondhawk perched on a plant. I am not an expert when it comes to Dragonflies, but I do enjoy photographing them. I thought I would share one of the explanations I found for the origin of how the Dragonfly got it's name.

In old Romanian folklore, the dragonfly was actually a horse ridden by Saint George. St. George rid the mythical town of Silence of the dragon that lived in the town’s pond and poisoned the town. After wounding the dragon, he leashed the dragon and gave it to the town’s princess. Saint George’s horse became a giant flying insect when cursed by the devil. In the Romanian language, the word for dragonfly translates into Devil’s Horse or Devil’s fly. The Romanian word for devil is drac, which can also indicate dragon. In English, it translated to dragonfly.

The weekend is upon us and with yet more days of high heat and humidity. Today was 97 and I'm sure the heat index was in triple digits. There's no relief in sight either. Am I allowed to say I'm almost ready for Fall. Did I actually say that? Oops. Stay cool all. ENJOY!

Sunflowers, Batey Farms

Batey Farms is almost an hour from Hendersonville in Murfreesboro, here in middle Tennessee, as the locals call it so it was a trek, but I was aptly rewarded. The Sunflowers were in full bloom at the farm. The huge field they planted didn't make it through the rainy Spring, but about ten rows of Sunflowers did. I arrived right when the Sun was directly overhead giving me the best light of the day. Don't you just love when that happens. I love the huge green leaves that accompany each Sunflower.

Have you ever wondered how many Sunflower seeds each flower yields. No doubt the farmers can answer that question, but I haven't a clue. To think these gorgeous flowers bring such beauty to our world and to top it off give us delicious Sunflower seeds too. Isn't Mother Nature amazing.

Of the 200 some images I captured today, these are my favorites I am sharing. I love close ups of Sunflowers the most. One beautiful large Sunflower bloom is all I need to satify my thirst for the Sunflower, but I still tried to capture some images of numerous flowers. This is one of my favorites.

The heat and humidity today wasn't nearly to the degree of the past week which made being out in the middle of the Sunflower field a tad bit more bearable, although it was still hot. I hope you are staying cool here in the States with this 'heat wave' in full swing and no relief on the horizon. For those of you down South in the throws of a snowy Winter, stay warm. ENJOY!

Sunflower Portrait

I captured this image last year in early August at Batey Farms in Murfreesboro. Sadly, I missed the Sunflowers they had this year. Last year you could walk throughout the field any time and take photos. This year they charged for folks taking portraits and only had one day folks could come by to photograph the fields. I hate it that they took all the fun out of it, but it's a working farm, so I guess you can't blame them. Besides just seeing a huge field of Sunflowers from afar is reward in itself. ENJOY!

Bird Behavior

This was the perfect weekend to visit Murfree Spring Wetlands. Blue skies, bright sunshine, no humidity. I usually walk along the boardwalk shifting from one side of the walkway to the other while scouring the swamp for any sign of movement.

What I wasn't expecting was to find a Yellow Crowned Night Heron fishing in the middle of the swamp in the back of the wetland. He was very intent on the task at hand and didn't mind one bit that I stood on the boardwalk and took photos. He would stand straight up, then lean over. Then he would lift up one foot and take a step. Then he would lift up another and drop it. Then ..... pounce!

He was in and out of the water so fast, I couldn't even get a decent image. Yet, there he was hanging on to a crayfish.

Gotta get this crayfish in just the right position so he can swallow it, no doubt whole.

After several catches, the Heron decides its high time for a preening session which included some 'under the hood' work. Amazing. If I didn't know better I would swear he was trying to play hike and seek with me. Hope you had a great weekend. ENJOY!

Come Summer

Come Summer there will be days upon days filled with bright blue skies and sunshine aplenty.

Come Summer there will be fields strewn with daisies and bushes laden with red and pink roses.
Come Summer there will be bees a buzzing and butterflies a flitting and birds a chirping in the breeze.
Come Summer there will be bicycle rides and dips in the lake and dusty baseball games day into night.

Come Summer there will be long Sunday afternoons whilst family and friends gather to picnic.

Come Summer there will be glasses of sweet tea, backyard barbecues and thick slices of apple pie.
Come Summer there will be red, white and blue and stars spangled nights and firecrackers popping.

Come Summer there will be. Come Summer.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Luck 'O the Irish to you on this St. Patrick's Day. I am of Irish ancestry and if time had permitted I might have stopped for a green beer today, but time didn't allow. I have been saving this image of a sunning Turtle in the swamp at Murfree Springs Wetlands I captured a few weeks ago to share with you on this 'green' day. As I drove around Nashville the past few days, I noticed beautiful Bradford Pears and Forsythia bushes growing in gusto. Daffodils were sprouted up in patches of yellow everywhere I turned. I believe the Tulips are going to be blooming in a few weeks at Cheekwood. I've been checking in on their Facebook page. I surely have to pay a visit again this year. It was an uplifting experience being around all of the hundreds of gorgeous yellow, pink, red and orange Tulips blooming there last year for their Tulip Festival. Need I say it . . . thank goodness that Spring has Sprung. ENJOY!

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Today was filled with temperatures in the low 70's, brilliant sunshine and bright blue skies. It was a welcome treat after many many weeks of very little sun and a whole lot of rain here in Nashville. I knew I had to get outdoors so I opted for a Sunday drive. Murfree Springs Wetland was the perfect place to get outdoors and take a walk. It's still Winter here in Tennessee, but I had a hunch the wetland might be greening up.

My hunch paid off and the wetland was adorned with new bright green aquatic plants covering the swamp for as far as the eye could see. As I meandered down the boardwalk, I heard a distinct chirping. While I don't recall ever coming eye to eye with a Warbler, it certainly sounded like a song bird. I spotted a small bird perched high up on a tree branch. I hadn't a clue what breed it was, but I knew my software would reveal that. Turns out it was a Yellow Rumped Warbler. Surprise, a Life List Bird. His song was melodious and while he never stayed long on any one branch, I was still happy to make his acquaintance. This little bird Winters throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States. In Spring he migrates to the Western United States and Canada where he spends the Summer and breeds. He certainly has a long journey ahead of him. Please forgive the poor image quality. Lightroom can only do so much. Back soon. ENJOY!

Sunflower, Batey Farms

Bathed in bright evening light this beautiful Sunflower stands ready for picking at Batey Farms in Murfreesboro earlier this Summer.

I hope everyone is having a great week. I am knee deep in deadline week and busier than a bee. ENJOY!

Water Lilies, Murfree Spring Wetlands

There's a change in the air. Can you feel it. Here in the South cooler weather is finding its way into our daylight hours, while evenings begin to shorten and a coolness envelopes the night air. I will welcome Fall as it grows closer. Summer's dog days of heat will soon vanish replaced with a change of season. Emerging colors of crimson, orange and various hues of yellow will brighten the landscape.

Fall pumpkins already grace the local markets. Soon Fall decorations in every shape and size will follow. Pumpkins, gourds and bittersweet, along with scarecrows, stacks of corn, harvest moons and pumpkin rides. After a record setting heat this Summer, I am eager for the change in the season.

Leaving the Sunflowers at Batey Farms after a brief stop, I drove over to visit the wetlands, just as the rain was diminishing. The Water Lilies were turned in for the evening. The humidity was heavy. A lone female Wood Duck was milling around in the swamp picking through the pond weeds. I would have captured a better image so I could share, but my long lens was at home. ENJOY!

A Simple Sunflower

Is there anything more gorgeous than a beautiful yellow Sunflower?

Despite the raindrops, I captured a few more images of the Sunflowers at Batey Farms today. Some of the Sunflowers were fading and others hung over from the rain. But all in all, it was still a beautiful sight. ENJOY!

Sunflowers, Batey Farms

After spending the afternoon leading a great group of folks on our first outing together at Murfree Spring Wetlands, I stopped to grab a bite to eat at Parthenon Grille in Murfreesboro. I chose to sit at a table next to the bar. I struck up a conversation with a young couple sitting at the bar about the outdoors. They mentioned their 14 foot Sunflowers they had planted this year. After showing me a photo of just what they were describing, I realized these had to be the tallest Sunflowers I had ever seen in my life. I asked them if they knew of any Sunflower fields close by.

These beautiful images are just a few close ups of the Sunflowers I captured upon following the couple's directions to what has to be the most gorgeous Sunflower field I have ever laid eyes on. Seriously, words could not describe it. Batey Farms decided to plant what has to be at least 50 acres of Sunflowers. It was surreal to pull up and see this enormous field of Sunflowers that seemingly went on forever right before me.

I wasn't sure who to thank more, the couple at the bar, or the Batey Family for planting such a gorgeous plot of Sunflowers. As a side note, I saw more tripods floating around in that field of Sunflowers than I think I will ever see again in my lifetime, and who could blame them. I want to go back to capture some images when the light isn't quite so harsh but it will have to be quick or the Sunflowers will be gone. Thankfully, the temperatures weren't in the mid 90's as they have been for weeks. So it made for a pretty good day to be outdoors in the sun. ENJOY!

Yellow Water Lily

Such a beautiful bloom as I walked around the pond that housed several types of aquatic plants at Murfree Spring Wetlands a few weeks ago. No matter that I have photographed many a Water Lily. For some reason whenever I see another one I simply have to capture an image of it.



While these beautiful blooms are usually quite large, they also have such a delicate feel to them. And the fact that they are smack dab in the middle of a pond doesn't hurt either. The Independence Day weekend is almost upon us. Are you ready to get your red, white and blue on? Have you purchased the traditional firecrackers and sparklers, perhaps readied the grill for a nice thick juicy steak or a burger or hot dog? If not, better get busy. ENJOY!

Juvenile Wood Duck, Murfree Spring Wetlands

In spite of the 90 degree temperatures today, I took a few minutes to drive to Murfree Spring Wetlands this afternoon southeast of Nashville to check out the wildlife. The water level of the swamp was down quite a bit. I did not see as much wildlife this visit, but did see a juvenile Beaver take down a sapling and disappear into the water with the tiny branch. Unfortunately, all of the foliage kept me from getting any decent images.

On my second walk around the parameter of the wetland, I happened upon a juvenile female Wood Duck sitting on the railing. She sat for a while and called out repeatedly. My thought was perhaps for Mom and Dad, who were nowhere in sight.

The second time I happened upon the same juvenile Wood Duck she was sitting on the railing on the far side of the wetlands calling out again. After a few minutes, she flew off into the wetlands. The Wood Duck's sound as she was calling out seemed more like a 'peep' than a call. She kept looking all around her and calling. Although it was very hot today, the humidity wasn't very bad. With the official start of Summer just around the corner, I am praying for a mild one. Have a great week everyone. ENJOY!

Linking to Saturday Critters and Our World Tuesday and The Scoop

Green Frog, Murfree Spring Wetlands

At Murfree Spring Wetlands I happened upon large and small birds, mammals, amphibians and a plethora of marshes, swamps and more pond weeds than I had ever seen in my lifetime. While reading up on Green Frogs, I discovered that pond weeds are also referred to as duck weeds.

Mid way into my first walk, half way back into the wetland, this Green Frog stuck his head up out of the water in a less saturated pond weed area. This little guy is in the perfect habitat what with all of the insects one can find hanging out in the wetland. I discovered upon reading about Green Frogs that this is gal, a female Green Frog. Females have a similar size tympanum, external hearing structure, just behind the eye. The tympanum actually transmits sounds to the inner ear. Males have a much larger tympanum which is the perfect distinguishing characteristic.

At the end of my wetland walk, I lingered to look over the boardwalk into the swamp and up popped another female Green Frog. This gal was almost totally camouflaged by heavy pond weeds. She sat on top of the water while I captured a few images of her.

I plan to venture back to Murfree Spring Wetland often in the near future in hopes of seeing the Beavers and River Otters that reside there. I encountered considerable evidence of the Beavers all along the first half of the boardwalk. Near the back of the wetland sat a very large Beaver lodge out in the swamp. Everyone have a fantastic weekend. Stay dry as there is quite a bit of rain forecast for the midwest, south and eastern United States. ENJOY!

Linking to Saturday Critters

Eastern Phoebe

At Murfree Spring Wetlands I attempted to capture photos of the woodland birds flitting about on the dead branches spread throughout the swamps and marshes. This little bird is an Eastern Phoebe. One of the most familiar of the eastern flycatchers. Phoebes are quite hardy and have a stocky physique and are generally brown and white. If only he would have had a fly or gnat in his beak that would have made for a better image, but I will take what I can get.

Eastern Phoebes generally perch on low hanging branches or low in trees. They form mud-and-grass nests attached to bridges, barns and houses. I can honestly say I have never seen an Eastern Phoebe nest. Eastern Phoebes migrate north and are one of the first birds to migrate back to the south each year. This is a Life List Bird for me. ENJOY!

A SPECIAL NOTE TO MY FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS
Since moving here to Tennessee I have encountered quite a few birds to add to my Life List.

The list is posted on this blog in the right column mid way down if you would like to see just what species of birds
I have encountered throughout my journeys. Thank you for stopping by my blog
and thank you for all of your wonderful comments. I read every single one and cherish all of them.

Since mid December I have at least 25 new followers to my blog from all over the globe. 
I want to thank each and every one of you for following my posts and if you haven't left me
a note or a comment, I hope you will soon. I love to hear your thoughts on my outings to capture
images of our beautiful planet. I translate any comments that aren't in English. 
So never fear, I'm reading your comments no matter the language. Thank you for following!

Yellow Crowned Night Heron

As I was about to end my walk around Murfree Spring Wetlands Sunday, I turned the corner toward the entrance and saw this beautiful creature standing in the middle of the large swamp. This is a Yellow Crowned Night Heron and a Life List bird for me. Isn't he gorgeous. I had never laid eyes on one before. Quite honestly, I didn't even know there was such a thing. The only thing I knew for certain was this was not a Black Crowned Night Heron.

It didn't take long for me to identify this bird as I knew it was some sort of crowned Heron. Yellow Crowned Night Herons are nocturnal birds that reside mainly in southern swamps and along southern coastlines. The yellow crown is their distinctive feature which is what they are named for although they do have yellow legs as well. These Herons are stockier than the Great Blue Heron, the Little Blue Heron or the Tri-Colored Heron.

A juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron has a longer neck and sports a grayer toned body. Actually, the juvenile doesn't really resemble the adult all that much when I looked them up online. I thought perhaps I would see a Black Crowned Night Heron at the wetlands as I had seen photos online that mentioned sightings, but no dice.

The entire time I photographed this Heron he was very intent stalking about in search of a snack. Finally, a lady with two young boys approached and off he flew. I knew he wouldn't stay long with young children chatting away. It has rained off and on since yesterday, but hopefully we won't have the drenching rain that Texas and Oklahoma are getting. Such tragedy in Texas from the floodwaters and on Memorial Day no less. My heart goes out to everyone there. Back soon with more images from my walk on the wild side. ENJOY!

Wood Ducks, Murfree Spring Wetlands

Murfree Spring Wetlands is a remarkable place to visit and to think that it is right in the middle of a large town is even more remarkable. I decided to visit here as it called for a shorter drive than the refuge I had planned on visiting.

The iridescent green and purple of the male Wood Duck are gorgeous, not to mention its red eyes, beautiful flare down its neck and multi colored bill. Both the male and the female share crested heads. This species is akin to the Asian Mandarin Duck.

The Wood Duck or Carolina Duck is a perching Duck known throughout North America. These Ducks prefer wooded habitats such as wooded swamps which is exactly what Murfree Spring Wetlands is known for. You can find the Wood Duck female's nest in wood boxes and tree cavities.

I tried to see if I could locate where this pair of Wood Ducks may have nested, but the swamp and its marshes were so dense it was difficult.

Another remarkable thing about these Ducks is that in the eastern and western United States 75% of Wood Ducks are permanent residents. Generally, the eastern Wood Ducks use the Atlantic Flyway while the western use the Pacific if they are not permanent, but are migratory.

I wanted to mark this Memorial Day by mentioning that I think often about those who gave their lives for our country,

as my Father did having suffered from PTSD, which ended his life at the young age of 52.

My heart goes out to those of you who are and those of you who have served for our country, 

living or dead, so America can be free. As I often see and hear 'Freedom is not Free'. God Bless America!

Linking to Saturday Critters