Washington Gardener Magazine is the award-winning publication for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners by local gardeners.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Video Wednesday: Sunflowers!
Sunflowers at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area located in Western Montgomery County. Each summer, the state of Maryland plants fields of sunflowers at McKee-Beshers for feeding and attracting migratory game birds. (This is a hunting preserve.) Photography and art clubs love it, but it is so big and never so crowded that it is a problem.
McKee-Beshers WMA is a 2,000-acre area located on River Road just outside of Seneca, Maryland (between Potomac and Poolesville in Montgomery County). It is not far from the intersection of River Rd and Rt 112. McKee-Beshers is on the left hand side of the road. Just pull in, walk around the gate, go 20 yards around a clump of brush, and BAM! Sunflowers as far as the eye I can see. Totally hidden from the road.
A few photos I took are posted here at the facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine page. BTW, no need for a step ladder (as one friend had recommended I bring), the flowers are all between waist and chest high. If you like birding, go early in the day. I went in late afternoon and saw lots of butterflies and bees. The blooms should last a few more weeks and you can go anytime during daylight hours. Best of all, it is free!
UPDATE: This year (2015), the sunflowers are a taller variety so definitely bring a stepladder for the best views and photography. Here is a link to the field map for this year: http://dnr2.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/2015_MckeeBeshers_Sunflowers.pdf
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Kathy, I'm glad you liked the sunflowers (I am "wookyluvr" that posted about them on the list). I have been going to see the sunflowers for about 5 years. This is the first year they planted all dwarf variety and I was disappointed, but maybe only because I was used to the taller, huge-flowered variety in the past. Also, the day we were there, most of the flowers were face down, looking sad. And they only planted about half of the lower field (just down the hill from the first field). I did not drive further down River Rd, but they have sometimes planted sunflowers in fields further down (toward Poolesville), as well. Anyway, they're still pretty. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggstion, Kate, and we did see more sunflower fields deeper into the property which looked like taller, later-blooming varieties along with LOTS of field corn. Must be great for birders year-round!
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