LITTLE SUNS AMONG THE GREEN

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I don’t know how is the weather where you are, but right now I’m in Belgium and I have to say — spring is slowly starting to appear in the air!!! 13 degrees above zero, some sunshine and that soft seasonal feeling that makes you want to breathe a little deeper. Finally! I hope at least 😄 Yesterday I spent the day on a walk, because the weather was simply too inviting to stay inside. I also visited a small castle and of course I took some photos so those will definitely appear here soon.😁

And today, inspired by this early spring sunshine, I want to share something small and warm: a macro series of a flower that instantly reminds me of little suns.
This plant is RUDBECKIA HIRTA also known as the Black-eyed Susan. It is a popular wildflower native to North America, but it is also widely grown in gardens across Europe because of its strong color and long blooming season. RUDBECKIA HIRTA usually flowers from mid-summer until early autumn and its bright yellow petals with a dark center are easy to recognize. I captured it of course during my visit in a botanical garden.

The dark “eye” in the middle is made of many tiny florets that provide nectar and pollen for insects. This flower is especially loved by bees and butterflies, so it plays an important role in supporting biodiversity. It is also a very hardy plant. It tolerates heat, grows well even in poor soil and is often used in natural meadow-style gardens. In many cultures Black-eyed Susans are seen as symbols of encouragement, positivity and warm energy which makes them a perfect match for sunny days and good moods.