Cannon Farms in Dunnellon for Sunflowers!

 

It really feels like summer when I take a trip to Cannon Farms for fresh produce and sunflowers.

So let's take the Jeep for a little trip to Dunnellon!

We've already driven past the farm on our trips to Blue Run Park and the Gulf Coast.

I like to reserve a day when I have lots of time to walk in the fields and take tons of photos.

The weather was beautiful and I packed a lunch.

So I had all day! 

I shopped for fresh produce first and put all of that in the cooler. 

Then I picked up a bag and some clippers and headed for the sunflower fields.

It really takes your breath away to be surrounded by so much beauty...and LOTS of honey bees!

I was trying to describe it to someone and I couldn't find the words to express what an amazing experience it is to be immersed in so much beauty.

So I'll just keep plugging in photos and probably do another post later with MORE photos!

I saw lots of Cattle Egrets flying over the fields.

There were goats, turkeys and chickens on the farm too!

There were Sandhill Cranes and ducks on the drive over. (no photos but nice sightings!)

Even these 'spent' blooms are beautiful in their own way!

Do you love old barns as much as I do?

I wanted to include photos of the Jeep and this was my favorite!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

  Mosaic Monday HERE and I like Thursdays HERE !  

A Preening kind of Day!

 Maybe this heat is making for a 'bad hair day'!

This White Ibis just wants to perch here and do a little preening and not have to worry about a Great White Egret swooping past!

After all it's not that easy to perch on this little twiggy tree!

When I first drove into the Pruitt Trailhead I saw a big flock of Cattle Egrets preening near the marsh.

My photos aren't very sharp for 2 reasons. It was quite a distance away AND my lens fogged up when I got out of the cool, dry Jeep and into the heat and humidity! 

But you can tell this little guy had done his best to look presentable. (looks like he has it just the right 'poofyness'. Poofyness is not a word?! It is here in Florida! lol

And this Red Shouldered Hawk is doing his best!

He's poofed and fluffed.

And now he thinks he has it just right!

It was a beautiful day at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve!

And in heat like this, I had it all to myself!

White Peacock Butterfly

Have you been outside much this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.   

Can we at least drive out to Pruitt?

 I have all my 'ducks in a row'!

Well, we all know I can't just drive to the trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve without getting out for a short hike.

One lone Cattle Egret greeted me when I got out!

It has been unbearably HOT lately though so you can't stay outside for long.

It may look cool in the shade but it most definitely was NOT!

Doesn't that look like a monster in the trail ahead?

CLOSER!

 

I may have stood in the sun too long and I'm imagining monsters! lol

This looks like an owl! 

The Sandhill Cranes are smart enough to hang out in the shade of the Live Oak Trees.

I saw a Bobwhite walk across the trail in front of me too. He sauntered but I didn't get a good photo of him. Fun to see and watch out in the tall grasses.

Hope we get a break in the heat soon. 

I spotted this Mississippi Kite from my front window and stood in the driveway for the photos.

He was a beauty!

He flew right over my head!

Enjoy your weekend! 

Stay cool and safe! 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

Sunny Days at Cannon Farms in Dunnellon

 It was a hot sunny morning when I went to the farm last week but the flowers were in full bloom so I couldn't resist getting out in the maze!

Everyone there is so friendly and nice. Ashley offered to take me out farther to see more of the Zinnias but I wanted to spend time taking photos of the sunflowers. 

I spent most of my time in the sunflower field.

There were so many more blooms since I was there just a week ago.

It didn't feel too bad at 10 am. It was around 80 degrees with a light breeze.

I just kept on clicking and trying to remember that I had to choose a bouquet to bring home when I was finished.

I saw flocks of Cattle Egrets fly over the whole time I was there.

Ashley said that the flowers were drawing all kinds of birds and bees and bugs. 

She had seen a lot of ladybugs early in the season.

And the Monarch butterflies loved this special sunflowers. (I think they are Mexican sunflowers)

Hummingbirds were around and lots of honey bees.

I even saw a Swallow-tailed Kite while I walked around.

Being out in the flower fields gave me a chance to get better photos of the Zinnias.

They were gorgeous!

What a fun experience! 

I bought lots of fresh veggies again this week. We didn't have any go to waste last week but hubby mentioned more than once that we were eating 3 vegetables at every meal! lol This week the bonus was okra! We LOVE fried okra! And it's really worth the trip for the vine ripened tomatoes and fresh picked corn. Thanks to the owner for coming out to my Jeep with corn he had just picked and I almost missed.

Here's the sunflower I picked and brought home.

It doesn't get any better than Cannon Farms, family owned and operated! They are closed for the season now but it sure has been wonderful to spend time there! Thanks for everything Cannon Farms. See you next season!

 

Links to the farm are HERE and HERE. 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!