Sunflowers, Tangerini's Farm, Millis, Massachusetts, USA

It's been about a month since my first visit to the Tangerini Farm sunflower field and wow, am I glad I went back.



There were even more flowers, taller, and more bees enjoying the treats.

It's an unusual situation to be among so many bees actively gathering pollen.



If you walk to the end of the field rows......

.....you will find dozens of hive boxes where the bees call home.

I didn't mind them and they didn't seem to mind me.

And there are thousands of them buzzing around.

It was a beautiful summer afternoon to visit.

And not everything is yellow.



It's a pretty special special place to wander a while on a stunning New England summer day.

Sunflowers, Tangerini's Farm, Millis, Massachusetts, USA

I, like many, find sunflowers particularly enchanting. So, on the very first day that Tangerini's Farm opened their sunflower field to the public, I made my way there to visit and make some photos. The flowers were not quite as developed nor as plentiful as I wished but, it was still a rewarding outing.



There were very few humans during my visit on this brutally hot and humid summer day but, the honey bees were out in force.



They were neither bothered by nor particularly interested in my presence. At the end of the rows of sunflowers, the farm keeps dozens of hive boxes so these nearby flowers are a close destination if you are a bee.



I just love those translucent wings!



They seemed quite content to do what bees do. 







An incoming bee about to land on the flower.



As I said earlier, this was the first day they opened the sunflower field to the public (though the U-Pick-Em Blueberry Field is still open) - I think I will try to come back when the flowers are more mature and more plentiful. But, since this is a U-Pick-Em field ($3 a stem), those people wanting to pick-em will soon deplete the supply.



There is a small entrance fee whether or not you pick any. I am not a picker but, I am happy to contribute and help support this farm. They also operate a retail store and cafe onsite.

Seems like almost any angle is a good one for the wondrous sunflowers.

Sunflowers, Tangerini's Farm, Millis, Massachusetts, USA

It is a special and magical moment to stand in a field of sunflowers. Many stalks taller than I am, waving gently in the breeze. And the bees - oh, the bees - thousands of honey bees and bumblebees busily doing their thing on the flower heads. Though we were within inches of each other, they didn't seem to mind my presence nor me theirs.  We each had a task to perform - they to gather or consume pollen, me to enjoy the moment and to take pictures.



I had made the reservation online to visit Tangerini's Farm on this stormy, rainy day on purpose. First, I have found the muted and diffused light suits me in trying to capture images of these beautiful flowers. And second, I assumed the weather would keep away the crowds. It worked out well on both counts. The only crowds were the bees and they were busy.



Many of the flowers had already been picked but, there were still quite a few standing.



Next year I'll try to get there before the visitors arrive with clippers in hand - $3 for the first flower.

Did I mention there were bees? ..........

The bumblebees seem to consume on site.

The honeybees loaded up both legs with pollen for a trip back to the nearby hive.

Bees weren't the only critters on the farm.



What a place, Tangerini's Farm. They have many other seasonal crops, a farm stand, retail store, ice cream window, and lots of parking. I am already looking forward to next summer.