Our latest video by the summer interns, Ana and Mika, is of the Sunflowers at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area located in western Montgomery County., MD. 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. It is so big and even with crowds, it is never a problem to get a good shot.
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.
There are also several more fields of sunflowers planted at this location, but they require a further hike and perhaps some off-road driving, so this main (front) field remains the most popular.
A few more photos we took are posted here in an album at the facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine page.
If you like birding, go early in the day. We 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!
