Greetings from the Polder



This week I saw on a part of a farmland beautiful flowering wild flowers. Last year I had already seen them and at that time I had asked the farmer if I was allowed to photograph on his land. But those flowers were so hidden between the grass that great pictures were impossible. The strip that I had discovered now, was very easy to reach and also quite large.




The next day I decided to go there early. I had just installed myself with my camera on the ground next to the flowers when the owner of the land stopped by for a chat. Of course I was welcome to photograph. He was glad that others enjoyed his flowers too. In this blog I show a few of them.


Gilia capitata, originally from California

Poppies  (Papaver)  in different colors

Cornflower (Centaurea)

Seed pod of a Poppy

The flowering strips on farm fields are part of a subsidy program of the government to reduce chemical crop protection in Agri- and Horticulture. The wild flowers, which are sown as much as possible between the crops and the adjacent drainage ditches, attract natural enemies of insects that attack crops and helps the declining bees and butterfly quantities to survive and improve. In the meantime less chemicals will fall  -while fighting pests-  into the ditches. An additional benefit to the farmer is that the bees will pollinate his crops and that he can utilise less profitable parts of his fields. The disadvantage is that he also has to do work for these flower strips, while he will -except for the grant- not get a revenue. There is a rumour that the grant will be abolished at the end of 2013. It is questionable if there still will be wild flower strips on the fields after that date.


Corn Cockle (Agrostemma githago)

Poppy (Papaver)

German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Corn Cockle (Agrostemma githago)

This and the next picture: Poppy (Papaver)



Crown Daisy (Glebionis coronaria)

Common Flax, Linseed (Linum)

Seed pod of a Poppy
The photos are enlarged even more beautiful. Click on the first picture.


Thanks to all my friends abroad for your spontaneous, nice comments and praising words on my last blog. I hope we keep in touch. Of course I will visit you on your own blog, although it may take sometimes a little longer.

Greetings, Joke

4 opmerkingen:

  1. WOW!
    Hello Joke!
    That something else!
    Each and every photograph is exquisite!
    You've got it all, depth, colours framing and gorgeous flowers...
    Absolutely fantastic!
    I hope these agricultural trials will last, on the medium and long run we cannot keep poisoning our ground that way even if it is more work...
    Cheers, keep well and many thanks for kind words on my posts!

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  2. I can only echo everything Noushka said with equal praise and enthusiasm for your wild flower series.They are all so very beautiful.
    Take care,
    Best regards

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  3. Wonderful Joke, keep on doing these pictures !
    Wish you a nice weekend !

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  4. Beautiful images of these lovely flowers! I really like the image of the German Chamomile. I hope the farmers will continue to keep these flowers both for the insects and the photographers :0)

    /Erik

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