So, last month I returned and headed directly to the large patches of sunflowers.  I had hoped to get there as close to the time the farm opened hoping to beat the crowds, but it was about 10.35 by the time I got there, and there were already crowds at the farm.

If I was to be honest, I have to admit that I was rather disappointed at the height of the flowers.  I would say the average height was about 3 foot, and as I don’t like having people in my landscapes (unless it is to show scale or perspective) I had to be very clever with my angles.

I also wanted to take some images of the large heads as close ups, plus I wanted a bee or two to come along.

This type of photography requires great patience, so I set my camera up firstly with the 24-70mm lens to do general head shots with a bit of landscape. 

I then swapped to the 105mm macro lens to get closer to the head and seeds to get a sort of abstract view of the large yellow flower.

I also wanted to photography a bee on the flower head.  The trouble with bees, is that they tend to be unpredictable.  You see one flower having a constant flow of visitors, so when you quietly and gently set your camera up to that flower, it is too late, and another flower is the flavour of the moment.  This is when the patience is required.  I decided to keep to the flower that I chose and after about 10 minutes I was rewarded.

I must confess though, the above photo was taken by the 24-70mm lens as the ones I did take with the 105mm macro weren’t that good for public consumption.  But, hopefully next year I will do better.