Posts Tagged ‘WMA’

2020 McKee Beshers

Sunflower at Sunset at McKee Beshers WMA

Poolesville, Maryland

For the last few years, a late July trip to see sunflowers is on the calendar. This year, our 2020 visit to McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area was special for more than a few reasons. Firstly, it was an early birthday celebration for my mom. Since she has embraced new technology with her digital camera and her smartphone, a full sunflower field is almost overload for photo subjects.

Sunflower at the 2020 McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area ©TimeLine Media

Secondly, I wanted to stretch some photography muscles of my own. Although it was hot, humid with plenty of bugs flying around, I still took some time to try all kinds of tricks. Maybe some of these will come in handy with some future projects. Overall, my favorite with the sunsetting flowers was just taking the flash off the camera and firing it at different angles. At this time there was an interesting sky as the sun set and the light changed into night.

For some reason, I was attracted to some different images. Of course, the blooms were the highlights, but I was attracted to some other discoveries in the field. I really enjoyed the sunflowers that did not pop out – they looked completely different the others, but had a great firework look all their own. Concurrently a view from the ‘back’ of the sunflowers evoked the look from the back of a church. It was as if all the flowers were praying to an altar facing away from me.

Stargazing

Finally, we parked the car across the sunflower field. Since we had stayed until after sunset, we waited for a chance to look up for the next nature show. Above the horizon was the newly discovered comet, NEOWISE. From what I had seen from some talented photographers online, this is worth the effort to see! We had binoculars, and apps to help us locate the comet in the sky. Above all, I am truthful in my thoughts on my little blog. I did not actually see the comet in all its detail with my bare eyes. I really needed the cameras and binoculars to get a glimpse. When it came into focus, it was worth the wait!

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2017 McKee-Beshers WMA

Sunflower at sunset at McKee-Beshers in Maryland ©TimeLine Media

Sunflower Fields

It was 2017 since we have visited the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. Although we have this on the calendar every year, there are some obstacles to going every year. Firstly, the sunflowers are planted so that they bloom around the hottest time of the year. Additionally, the middle of summer has been busy with other photography projects. This year, however, I am much slower on photography project. So maybe this will be the time to go back.

2017 McKee-Beshers sunflower blooms in Maryland ©TimeLine Media

Thinking of visiting the fields, this would be a great way to social distance! Surely the weather will not be forgiving. It is already hazy, hot, and humid as per usual in this area.

2017 McKee-Beshers sunflower blooms in Maryland ©TimeLine Media
2017 McKee-Beshers sunflower blooms in Maryland ©TimeLine Media

Also looking at these photos, we were very lucky with the day we visited. At this time, I only had my phone with me. Given that this was a spontaneous decision to visit, I will plan better if we got this year. Undoubtedly I’ll bring one of my proper cameras and experiment with some ideas I am previsualizing. To be sure I’ll have the website on a shortlist to visit daily until the flowers are ready. If anyone would like to collaborate on some photos, let’s plan to meet out there!

2017 McKee-Beshers sunflower blooms in Maryland ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Sunflowers at McKee Beshers WMA

Poolesville, Maryland

Taking a short drive to the nearby Maryland countryside to stand in a field full of sunflowers will probably become a yearly tradition for us! Like the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in downtown DC, the fields of the McKee Beshers Wildlife Management area are planted with beautiful sunflowers. When they bloom is regularly monitored and posted on their website. Not as many people make it here compared to the Tideal Basin. So you can really get up close and personal with the bees and the blooms.

Sunflowers-at-McKee-Beshers-©TimeLine_Media
Sunflowers-at-McKee-Beshers-©TimeLine_Media

Since they bloom in summer, it is recommended to go either in early morning or late evening. Concurrently, it is better when the sun is not directly overhead. This, of course, makes for better photos too! The spacing in between lines of plantings makes it easier to walk in between the rows of blooming flowers.

Roadside Sunflowers

Sunflowers-at-McKee-Beshers-©TimeLine_Media
Sunflowers-at-McKee-Beshers-©TimeLine_Media

We decided to go out later in the evening. Being July, it was still hot and a little humid, but we enjoyed the colorful view. There are many fields in which sunflowers are planted. However the first one off of River Rd. is probably the most photogenic. As you walk from the parking lot, you can see the yellow glow of the flowers between a column of trees. It is like stepping into an Impressionist painting.

Sunflowers-at-McKee-Beshers-©TimeLine_Media
Sunflowers-at-McKee-Beshers-©TimeLine_Media

It is such a great place to make photos. You can take out your wide-angle lenses, your macro lenses, practice with your tripod, or take your flash off the camera for more fun. Luckily you have lots of space to work and not be in anyone else’s way. There is still some time to get out there and see the sunflowers. According to the website, there are other fields that may bloom from now until August. Grab your camera and a friend or two and make some nice pictures!

Sunflowers-at-McKee-Beshers-©TimeLine_Media
Sunflowers-at-McKee-Beshers-©TimeLine_Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

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