Late Summer Sunflowers

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I feed the birds and in return they bring a welcome chirping, chattering, multicoloured aerial display to the garden. Even in the depths of winter I can look through the window and see the brilliant reds, blues, greens and yellows of their plumage like a string of dancing baubles on the branches of my gnarled and leafless cherry trees.

We haven’t hit winter yet, summer is holding on and the continued warmth has brought a bumper harvest of haws and berries but the birds are very choosy, ignoring nature’s table to feast non-stop on their favourite food – sunflower hearts.

Not all of the seeds make their way into the hungry birds; the finches are especially messy so the garden is awash with random sunflowers and the sunflowers are full of fuzzy bumble bees, just like the one in this photo.

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11 thoughts on “Late Summer Sunflowers”

    1. There’s hope for us both then, perhaps a shorter winter? Perhaps not so cold? A little less snow for you and maybe none for me? My sense is that we have a cold one on the way though… in a couple of months we’ll find out.

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    1. Hi Dianne, they’re fairly tolerant. But if you get slugs and snails, watch out because they’ll strip the seedlings in a matter of moments. If the seeds get past this stage and there’s enough water to get them going they’ll soon fill your yard with happiness 🙂 Plant the seeds in groups and the strongest ones will push through using the smaller ones as support.

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    1. We’ve had a deceptive summer… warm early on, then wet and now warm again. But the nights are drawing in and the dew is high every morning. I wish we’d equalise hours with central Europe, just to get a little extra daylight at this this of year

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  4. dear Tracy, what bliss to find this blog where you share such bounteous bliss with your photos and art work! I have been searching for exactly what you have created, a diversion from all the travails of health and from the demands of profound and exhausting effort as I try to envision a re-birthing that is meaningful and will soothe my soul with dreams of reawakening my creative juices – they have always been such a vital life-force and I miss the soul-stirring zone of being lost in joy and wonder. I can’t wait to explore more of your blog; it’s lovely knowing there is so much more to see and be inspired. i hope this finds you feeling well and enjoying your wonderful gift with photography and your other art. how lovely that we are already friends as it brings such a delightful prospect to get better acquainted. the late summer sunflowers photo is so beautiful, with the gentle contrast of the shadows, and many textures against the silvery gray-green leaves.

    much love and admiration and thanks to you, my Friend,

    Karen XXOO

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    1. Dear Karen, an oasis for re-birthing, soul soothing and igniting your rich and generous spirit is what I wish for you knowing the many trials life has sent your way. I hope as each day rises you find yourself invigorated and refreshed. We cannot wash away our heartbreaks but we can begin to wash our lives with a rainbow of colour, whatever form they take and whatever else we might be forced to face. I hope we will know each other for a very long time because we have much to create and many places to rediscover wonder and joy. Sending you much love dear friend xoxox

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      1. oh, My Dear,

        thank you for those beautiful words of comfort and your heart felt good wishes. I have tears of gratitude running down my face. you are such a beautiful person; you radiate such love and compassion – it is truly palpable to me, so real and meaningful, and it feels like a balm you have sent to help soothe me and to help me to heal. I love knowing I can come to your blog and to this lovely site for generous doses of beauty and creativity that awakens my soul to so many possibilities.

        I am aligning with the Universe to reaffirm that it is on our side, that it gives us what we need because what we need is within our selves – it always has been. and I am thinking of you as you approach your own challenges, holding you up into the brightest light of hope, and sending you so much love. Karen OOXOO

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