I love sunflowers. Â Whatever color or size they are, I love them. Â My favorite is the great, big monster sunflower. Â I went to a local garden center hoping to find one of the big sunflower plant (or even seeds) and everyone else must like them too because there wasn’t a giant sunflower plant or see to be found.
I did find a very pretty firecracker sunflower plant though so I picked up a couple and planted them in my garden. Â When they are through blooming, I will save the heads to use the seeds for next year.
While I was shooting the sunflowers, a butterfly landed on another plant nearby so I tried to photograph it.  It was hiding behind  one of the plants and I knew if I tried to move closer it would fly off.  It flew off anyway so this was the best shot I got of it.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
They are such a beauty. Thank you!
Thank you very much.
Why are butterflies so shy? I have taken photos of bees and all sorts of other insects on plants but butterflies, none. They sit long enough for me to focus and when I press the button to capture they’re gone… I love these photos you’ve taken… beautiful…
I haven’t seen too many butterflies around yet this year. Now that the flowers are starting to bloom, there will probably be more. This was was unusual because I don’t remember seeing a black and white butterfly before.
These are lovely images, Maralee. 🙂
Thank you, Mike.
great shots and beautiful colors Maralee…brings in the sun!
Stunning flowers … so strong and big, just as you said – monster to flowers … and the photos are great as always, especially the photo with the 2 flowers. My pick is the blue and yellow field.
Beautiful flowers, Maralee!
I also love sunflowers! That last shot is truly beautiful. 🙂
Love the colors in the last shot. And the bokeh. But I missed the butterfly the first time.