The St. Johns River Basin is awash with native sunflowers this October. Pictured above the Narrow-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius L.) spread across the horizon and extend to 10 feet tall. In the background the State Tree of Florida (the Cabbage Palm or Sabal palmetto (Walter) Lodd. ex Schult. & Schult. f.) almost hidden by the sea of sunflowers.
ABOVE: Blogger standing amidst a stand of Narrow-leaved sunflower. In a 'normal' weather year, where I'm standing would be underwater. The river basin is very dry.
ABOVE: A Gulf fritillary (Argraulis vanillae) feasting on the flowers.
ABOVE: On the horizon -- miles behind me -- are Sabal Palm forests where the water would extend at the end of a normal wet season. As you can see it is tough to make out any water except in the top right of the image.
ABOVE: Further east from the river a pair of Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) forages near race horses practicing in the vast flat fields that are the river's flood plain. To the west of the river little natural land remains. It has all been claimed for developments linked to Orlando.
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