Sunflowers at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Clyde with Mary Wozniak and
Ed Carlson,
Director of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

We met Mary Wozniak years ago when she interviewed
Clyde for an article in the News Press newspaper of
Fort Myers. We have been friends ever since. Our
paths often cross when Mary covers environmental
issues for the News Press.

When Mary wrote the article about the wild
profusion of sunflowers covering sixty acres
(37.5 city blocks) of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
that can be seen once every 3-4 years,
all of her friends were envious that she had
seen such beauty. Wanting to share the experience,
she asked Ed Carlson, Director of Corkscrew Swamp
Sanctuary, if he would take her out a second time.
He agreed...any excuse to enjoy the wonderful
view of those flowers again!Mary called us and told us
about this magnificent visual event and invited us
to join her. Naturally, we said, "Yes!" The beauty
was so overwhelming that it was like having
been invited to join Mary on a trip to heaven.

To read Mary's article on the flowers check out
www.news-press.com and enter sunflowers
in the search area.

Ed helping Clyde with his camera gear

Heading down the back roads of Corkscrew Swamp.
Our excitement was to see this incredible event of
wildflowers blooming in such numbers, but just being
in the back country of Corkscrew is a serene and
beautiful experience.

Heading into the flowers...

As we drove into the field of flowers there
was a concert of Ohhhhs! and Ahhhhs...and
then the constant sound of camera shutters
clicking. When at last we settled down and
were still, we could hear the deep buzzing
sound of millions of bees enjoying the
flowers along with us.

Ed Carlson contemplating. I think he must
have been thinking about the quote by
Iris Murdoch: "People from a planet without
flowers would think we must be mad with joy
the whole time to have such things about us."

Clyde taking his first photo and thinking nothing
could get better than this, but it just kept
getting more and more spectacular!

Corkscrew Sunflower #2

Down in the flowers taking photos

This sunflower is the Southeaster sunflower. It's
Latin name is Helianthus agrestis. They grow to
be more than 6 feet tall and many are 10 feet.

I climbed off the swamp buggy and climbed
down to be in the midst of this yellow miracle
that seemed to be singing the hallelujah chorus.
The beauty was so wondrous it is impossible
to put words to it...

The beauty that lay before us was so
overwhelming that we couldn't stop
taking photos...

From this view point you can see
how tall the flowers are and they
continue on for 60 acres!

Kathy photographing Mary

Mary in love with
the bounty of nature

Mary and Niki
deep in yellow glory

Traveling deeper into Corkscrew Swamp

Every time we come to another field
the flowers are more beautiful!

So many photographic opportunities...

Corkscrew Sunflowers #3

As you can see, the flowers are
taller than the swamp buggy!

Clyde taking a photo with his last piece of film

On our way back...it was hard to leave
this burst of yellow profusion of the
momentary glory of a flower.
What a wondrous creations!

Heading back to headquarters
Clyde and Ed discussing the environment

The group who spent the day awash in the
glory of golden sunflowers...