The rest of us admire the fields of sunflowers flowing over the drumlins, but Babs gets up close and personal. This week she wrote:
Sunflowers! We have acres and acres of sunflowers near here. I went down and took many pictures, but all I got were acres and acres of sunflowers, I even did a panorama that would stretch to about 5 feet if printed, but they were all a little boring so I’m sending this one. Maybe not so boring, at least to me.
I am fascinated by this. Why is it that baby animals all look awwwww-fully cute, but baby sunflowers look . . . scary? Maybe it’s just me. Or maybe it’s Babs. Or maybe . . . it’s the sunflowers.
Every week photographer Babs Young captures moments in northern Michigan, and every week she sends one to Torch Lake Views just for you. You can find more of her photos at the Babs Young Photo Archives.
Torch Lake Views 
Ms Glynn
August 31, 2009
I have a question for Babs Young: “why is it that sunflowers are so hardy and hairy?” signed, Confused!
Gerry
August 31, 2009
I knew I needed an advice column on TLV. Babs Young, Staff Photographer, Cub Reporter, and now Sob Sister!
Beth Toner
August 31, 2009
Remember “Little Shop of Horrors”? This definitely looks like Audrey the plant!
Gerry
August 31, 2009
Shudder.
Babs Young
August 31, 2009
Well Ms. Glynn, this is a difficult question. We can go the scientific route and look at Helianthus hirsutus Bristly Sunflower, Hairy Sunflower (hee-lee-AN-thus her-SOO-tus) or we can discuss hardy and hairy in a more personal sense. You choose.
Gerry
August 31, 2009
Hardy, hairy and bristly. Who knew sunflowers could occasion such profound philosophical discussion? TLV is becoming the choice of discriminating intellectuals in Antrim County. (I cribbed that from a vodka ad – have no idea at all what it means.)
flandrumhill
August 31, 2009
This reminds me of those alien plants that invaded earth in ‘Day of the Triffids.’
Gerry
August 31, 2009
Ah, we have been down this path before. Last year about this time Babs was enchanted by another Sunflower Creature, and the Triffids connection was made. I believe we have a suspicious pattern here. That Babs. She bears watching.