Kip’s Comments - August 4, 2025

Sunflower Family - Native and Domestics

Early this morning I had a plan to go fishing - largemouth bass, crappies, and bluegills were the target species. As I approached the fishing hole all plans were delayed as a large field of sunflowers chasing the rising sun caught my attention. Even with a boat behind the truck I turned around to work the scene. It was then that I noticed compass plants in the foreground. The juxtaposition of native and domestic plants of the same family called for a photo or two or three.

Since the domestic sunflowers first caught my attention, I will feature them first. Many possible compositions presented themselves. I prefer this one for sharing.

Sunflowers - Image 1007702

For the compass plants (also in the sunflower family) I will share two images. Both were composed in the same area. The difference between them is the first version had a very limited depth-of-field (zone of sharpness). For the second image I used a smaller aperture resulting in the sunflowers in the background being easier to recognize. I prefer the first image for featuring the compass plant. The second image illustrates the mix of domestic and native species better.

Compass Plant and Sunflowers - Image 1007618

Compass Plant and Sunflowers - Image 1007607

For those wondering, I caught two bass!