23 May 2015 Drops of sunshine
Story and photos
by Linda Henderson
What does summer shout? Sunflowers!
Sunflowers have been the subject for many artists of all kinds. Sunflowers attract both those that use paint and those that use a camera.
The most famous of these works of art is likely Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers.”
Sunflowers are vibrant and stand tall above most all summer flowers. They are grown for their beauty but are also an important source of food for both humans and wildlife. Birds of all kinds, including numerous songbirds, are particularly drawn to the large sunflower heads filled with seeds. Small wildlife has also been known to scale the strong stems and gather sunflower seeds for a tasty meal. Sunflower oil is used as a vegetable oil and sunflower seeds are enjoyed as a snack as well as an ingredient for many recipes.
Sunflowers are also being grown commercially as a cut flower in the 501. Visit a local farmer’s market in the summertime and you will find many varieties of blooms for sale.
Sunflowers are becoming an important agriculture crop in Arkansas. Our climate and long growing season are perfect for these giant beauties. According to the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, sunflowers are planted in late April and early May. They grow well without irrigation and are drought hardy. Sunflower blooms will mature in late August. During their growing period, they provide nectar for bees as well as butterflies.
Sunflower fields have been planted in Wildlife Management Areas by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as a food source for game birds and other wildlife. Arkansas dove hunters are especially fond of sunflower fields. Crops are harvested in the late summer. The harvesting process will scatter seeds and create prime feeding for game birds.
Traveling the 501, I have found small sunflower fields and patches in Faulkner, White, Conway and Pulaski counties. I always ask permission to photograph a field. Most farmers and growers are happy to share their sunflowers. Honor their hard work and stay on the outside and perimeters of their fields.
Some Wildlife Management Areas are planting sunflowers. These WMAs are usually open to foot traffic, and many of the fields found within these areas are right on the road.
Another source for sunflower viewing is pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the 501. For the price of admission, you and your family can enjoy pumpkins, mazes and sunflower patches.
How to capture sunflowers
Taking photos of sunflowers can be lots of fun, but it can take a little practice before you begin to get your best photos. Here are some tips on how to take good sunflower photos.
Shooting location is important. Remember the heads of sunflowers follow the sun each day, facing eastward in the morning, westward at sunset. Both the front as well as the back of a sunflower have interesting detail and color. Choose your background. Sunflowers against a bright blue sky look amazing, and a few white clouds will add to the photograph. This angle will work well when you get low, or when the flowers are tall.
If you are using a point and shoot type camera, use the mode that has the flower on it. Many cameras will allow you to change the position of your focus. Try to focus on what draws your eye like the center of the flower or the spike-like leaves on a flower that have not completely bloomed out.
Turn your flash off; natural light will give you the best color. The color yellow can photograph very bright if it is facing the sun, so position yourself to prevent the photo from being over exposed. Try several different angles; get up close for some and wide for others.
For close shots, try to pick good looking plants without blemishes.
If you include friends and family in your pictures, try to find an angle or position where there is not a sunflower growing up out of grandma’s head.
As always get out and enjoy the summertime in the 501.
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