The Preservation of Pollination

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Barry W. Hollritt, 2009  

 I came upon a field of Sunflowers along the road leaving the town of New Paltz, New York.  As I wandered a long line of the plants, I found a few with bumble bees pollinating the heads. What is usually called the flower is actually a head (formally composite flower) of numerous florets (small flowers) crowded together. The outer florets are the sterile ray florets and can be yellow, maroon, orange, or other colors. The florets inside the circular head are called disc florets, which mature into what are traditionally called “sunflower seeds” but are actually the fruit (an achene) of the plant. The inedible husk is the wall of the fruit and the true seed lies within the kernel.  As a photographer, the sunflower is always a joy to come upon and preserve in an image.  I focused in on one plant and just followed the bees as they did their work.  This image is a simple celebration of color and pollination.  Place it near a sunny window and your day should brighten up considerably.  

All Rights Reserved
Barry W. Hollritt