TRAVEL/INSPIRATION/THIS HAPPENED TO ME
A Visit to the Picturesque Sunflower Fields
Celebrate sunflower season with a visit to the magical sunflower fields
“The earth paints a portrait of the sun at dawn with sunflowers in bloom. Unhappy with the portrait, she erases it and paints it again and again.” — Rabindranath Tagore
The National Garden Bureau has designated 2021 the Year of the Sunflower.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the sunflower is an annual plant with a sizeable daisy-like flower face. The flowers come in various colors, but they are usually bright yellow with brown centers. They are heat-tolerant and resistant to pests.
Sunflower season, on average, lasts from July through early September. Moreover, the peak bloom time for sunflowers is only about two or three weeks. They can reach heights of five to ten feet.
Sunflowers are usually grown for making products like sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, and chicken feed. However, they draw in visitors because of their beauty.
Sunflower Fields at McKee-Beshers
During our summer vacation in the Washington metro area, we decided to explore the sunflower fields at McKee-Beshers to soak up the Maryland sunflower experience.
However, our initial attempts were met with confusion as the signage seemed to lead us to empty fields, prompting the realization that a call ahead of time would have been beneficial.
After some persistence, we eventually stumbled upon the vibrant sunflower fields and couldn’t resist capturing several Instagram-worthy photos amidst the golden blooms.
Despite the bustling parking lots, the fields themselves were surprisingly uncrowded, allowing for easy social distancing.
The allocation of several parking lots near the sunflower fields facilitated our visit, and although we drove for about 40 minutes to get there, our stay lasted only about 20 minutes.
Nevertheless, the sheer joy and serenity of being surrounded by sunflowers made it a highlight of our trip.
It was interesting to learn that the primary purpose of planting sunflower fields in wildlife management areas is to provide food for mourning doves and other wildlife species once the plants have matured and dried. This added a unique and environmentally conscious dimension to our sunflower field experience.
Final Thoughts
Sunflowers bloom in various locations, such as fields, farms, and gardens, creating captivating landscapes locally and worldwide.
These stunning fields offer a delightful experience, whether you’re admiring them or taking a leisurely stroll. Additionally, they serve as perfect settings for outdoor photo opportunities, with the added bonus of allowing pets.
To ensure you catch these majestic blooms at their peak, it’s advisable to call ahead and inquire about the current blooming status and duration. To locate nearby sunflower fields easily, conduct an internet search using the phrase “sunflower fields near me.”
Website: https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/publiclands/central/mckeebeshers.aspx
Where are your favorite sunflower fields? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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