Fields turned yellow
It’s not unusual in central Texas to see fields turned yellow in autumn with broomweed, Amphiachyris dracunculoides, and goldenrod, Solidago spp. This October 7th view of that combination is from Andrews Crossing at Windy Hills Rd. in Kyle, a fast-growing town south of Austin (and a childhood home of the writer Katherine Anne Porter).
You may recall that you had a close look at an individual broomweed flower head a few weeks ago.
© 2014 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
Another nice yellow and blue combination.
Steve Gingold
October 25, 2014 at 2:36 PM
Thanks, Steve. You’ve made me wonder if you have species up there that turn a whole field one color.
Steve Schwartzman
October 25, 2014 at 2:40 PM
Goldenrod can do that, although often there are a few hints of other plants. The invasive Purple Loosestrife can cause large swaths of wetlands to turn….purple.
Steve Gingold
October 25, 2014 at 2:43 PM
Ah yes, you have your goldenrods too. I’m sorry to hear your loosestrife is invasive (and presumably alien as well).
Steve Schwartzman
October 25, 2014 at 2:45 PM
This is a dazzler.
Susan Scheid
October 25, 2014 at 9:03 PM
I wish you could see some of these yellow fields in person, Susan.
Steve Schwartzman
October 25, 2014 at 9:21 PM
I love yellow, but these fields can be overwhelming in person. I very much like the way you’ve centered the tree in this one. It helps the eye to focus, I think, and gives some depth to the photo. This certainly is a beautiful example of some other plants giving bluebonnts a run for their money.
shoreacres
October 25, 2014 at 10:27 PM
If I understand correctly, broomweed that’s this widespread is a sign of land that’s been overgrazed or otherwise abused. From a photographic point of view, however, these fields of overwhelming yellow call out to me every autumn and I always look forward to photographing them.
Steve Schwartzman
October 25, 2014 at 10:35 PM
Steve, the sheer “goldenness” of this image is stunning – it probably glows when seen from outer space 🙂
composerinthegarden
October 26, 2014 at 8:31 AM
That’s a unique way to put it, Lynn. I won’t be going into outer space any time soon, but I often take visits into inner space, and that’s where I’ll confirm the glow you’ve conceived.
Steve Schwartzman
October 26, 2014 at 9:15 AM
[…] look at the small but multitudinous flower heads of broomweed, Amphiachyris dracunculoides, which you saw en masse several posts ago. All the little flower heads shown here—and others that you can’t see—are from a single […]
Multitudinous | Portraits of Wildflowers
October 28, 2014 at 5:50 AM