Driving around the back roads of Maryland during late July and August, you will no doubt drive past vast fields of sunflowers. These glorious, bright yellow and green fields attract an abundance of birds, butterflies, wildlife....and, yes, photographers. At some of the largest sunflower fields, it is not uncommon to find 5, 10, 20, or even 30 photographers on an early morning or early evening shoot. Some are there to capture the beauty of the scene, while others are there to take family portraits against the backdrop of these amazing flowers.
There was a very small sunflower field near my home last year. Parked on the edge of the field was a hay wagon with a sign "Pick you own sunflowers - $1 per flower." and a box to leave the money in. Driving home in the late afternoon, I often saw people in the field choosing their flower or photographing their children in the fields. Unfortunately, that field was not planted with sunflowers this year.
The photo above was taken at a large sunflower field in Harford County. While there, it began to rain. But before I left, I captured the photo below. If you look closely, you will notice the reflection of the field in the raindrop.
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