Most Octobers the St. Johns River Basin is awash with native sunflowers. Tghis year may be a little difficult as polluted floodwaters have spread far across the floodplain of the river in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Perhaps when the flood recedes the sunflowers will reemerge.
Pictured above the Narrow-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius L.) spread across the horizon and extend to 10 feet tall. This sunflower which is also appropriately called the "Swamp Sunflower."
In the background the State Tree of Florida (the Cabbage Palm or Sabal palmetto) almost hidden by the sea of sunflowers. There had been enough moisture this year to encourage growth of the flowers before the flood, but not enough to fill the St. Johns back to a normal level. Below, 6'2" (1.88 m) I stand against a backdrop of taller sunflowers just before the storm hit.
This area is now underwater. I've been documenting the flood this week and will get those photos up soon.
ABOVE: A Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) feasting on the flowers.
On the horizon — miles behind me — are Sabal Palm forests where the water would extend at the end of a normal rainy season. Today the water extends miles beyond that horizon.
As you can see a couple weeks ago it was tough to make out any water except in the top right of the image.
As you can see a couple weeks ago it was tough to make out any water except in the top right of the image.
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 inexorably linked to Orlando.
Its not too soon to think about 2018 elections. We have to Vote Democrat. That is the only way to Save America, Save Medicare, and Save Medicaid
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