I meant to come here in the summer (and the autumn) to study this field of sunflowers in full bloom but here I am only managing to photograph them in January while their dark heads are bowed with the weight of winter.
Karen McRae, 2015
I meant to come here in the summer (and the autumn) to study this field of sunflowers in full bloom but here I am only managing to photograph them in January while their dark heads are bowed with the weight of winter.
Karen McRae, 2015
draw and shoot 
I would never have guessed that they are sunflowers! I very much like the layers in the last one.
Yes, they are smaller sunflowers but they do look different in winter. Thank you, Ashley.
Love, love, love, love all of these. I totally resonate with this subject matter. Lovely, poetic work..
Thanks very much, Marilee! I’ve been watching this field shift with the seasons and am wishing I’d been more attentive with my camera.
But what you’ve done is just spectacular…
I open your post and sigh. They look like pods that are holding something, something I can relate to. Dark and head-bowed, sure, but fecund and promising nonetheless. Just wonderful. Thank you.
(P.S. Just saw this wonderful NYTimes article, so different from your work in subject matter in a literal way, but in a lyrical way, I think you’ll appreciate it.)
Thanks so much, Jen. I suppose they hold a little life in there, and food for all the crows raiding the fields. : )
Oh, do post the link for the article, you have me intrigued!
So sorry I never put the link the first time. Ha! What a sleepy dunderhead I am. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/10/03/magazine/01-brown-sisters-forty-years.html?_r=1
Here it is. Just beautiful… I love it as an artist, but also as a woman and sister.
Oh, that is a wonderful visual marking of sisterhood. Thanks very much, Jen!
Poor little guys. Left all alone. At least they know that a few birds will make it through winter because of their sacrifice.
Nice shots as usual; and as unusually unique.
Yes, I often see a large flock of crows foraging here and in the nearby cornfields.
Thanks for your lovely comments, Wally.
Hauntingly beautiful photos you’ve taken
Hi Tanya, thanks for taking the time to leave a lovely note. : )
I had no idea what the images were until I read what they were! I do see now how they are flowers though. Great pictures!
Thank you, yes they are in their winter disguise, I guess. A bit ice-covered too.
So gorgeus Karen! Wonderful atmosphere! 🙂
Thanks very much, Elina, the light was lovely and there is still ice on everything so it was sparkling too.
Again, really beautiful.
Hi Rabirius, thanks so much.
Very beautiful.
I only wonder why they did not harvest them.
I was wondering that too. A little mystery…
Thank you!
Beautiful – and slightly evil, especially the one with the bird, it gives a sense of foreboding. The last one, with the tendrils along the fence is especially beautiful.
These are gorgeous Karen. I love the way you have used the light in these images and although I would have loved to see them in full bloom, what you have made of them in winter is stunning! 🙂
Fabulous shots, Karen. Love all of these.
I love the light and depth of field in these images, I would have also never guessed they’re sunflowers 🙂
Another curious story with their dark heads.
Your sunflowers are radiant even in winter!!!! 🙂
Your sunflowers maybe bowing their heads, but…they will have another chance to dazzle later on this year. Well seen and taken.
A community of individuals in stasis, mercifully immune to the hardships of winter, just waiting for the thaw and for the next generation to burst into verdant, glorious life! I love how you honored this grouping with your singular artistry:)
A fascinating group. I applaud both your vision and your technical skill.
Looks like they are dancing in the fields – wonderful shots.
Don’t feel regret for shots not taken, these that you have taken and shown us totally make up for them. Breathtaking!
It is still a fantastic study…it’s such a part of life, that quiet time of restoration. Very nice, Karen.
so crazy beautiful
Delicate dreams communing in crystalline sunlight. They make me think of JG Ballard’s prose.
For some reason, I didn’t read your title, and I was scrolling through your photos wondering what these were. And for some reason, they looked like poppies . . . Oops! Beautiful shots. They really embody what I think a January photo should feel– cold, filtered light, but with graceful figures. Very nice. 🙂
Such potent emotion evoked, here. Staggeringly beautiful…
Oh! Gorgeousness here.
Yes, gorgeousness is the right expression. Such wonderful images, Karen.
Dark beauty.. I love them and also the birds – like signs.. 😍
Thoroughly enjoyable series, Karen. Amazing what winter reveals and you’ve captured the incredible beauty of last season’s sunflowers. I always love your close-ups but the image with the barn and sunflowers standing guard is great.
Mesmerising images Karen transporting me to a land joy and admiration for your work.
To hear that you find my work is ‘transporting’ makes me very happy. 🙂
Thanks so much!
I love them all, such fabulous hues and atmosphere …
nice work as always! in the first image I see an orchestra… there’s an amazing feeling you’ve captured.
the contrast of blues and goldens… dried seed heads and distant buildings. find myself drawn into this series. happy crow (raven?) shot also.
Very nice