©Stacy Ratel
September 10, 2025
Sunrise Surprise in a Sunflower Field
- as seen by -
Stacy Ratel
@back_yard_birdie I arrived in complete darkness—heart pounding with anticipation—never having been to this sunflower field before. Headlamp on, I hauled my tripod, wide-angle lens, and hopeful spirit through a maze of towering blooms under a star-splashed sky. The sunflowers didn’t just stand still—they communicated, like party guests who exchanged glances or shared secrets.
I faced east, ready for the sun.
But wait—why was I staring at the backs of the sunflowers?
Had I planned for the wrong time of day?
Determined, I searched for the best Russian Mammoth composition. As dawn crept in, turning the sky from ink to candy-colored pinks, something whispered, Turn around. I did—and gasped. The pre-dawn colors painted the sky behind the faces of the flowers. I raced, adjusted, and focused.
Long click.
The shutter captured Fibonacci’s famous spirals, wispy clouds in motion, and golden petals glowing with morning’s first light. For a moment, I wondered—did I witness this or dream it?
Photography answered. You were here.
Canon R5 with 100-500 lens and 1.4 extender
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