Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

This large and lovely sunflower was planted in my garden by my furry little friend, the chipmunk. We fill the bird feeders with black oil sunflower seeds and the critters do the rest! Once this huge flower head is ready to be cut off of it's 5 foot tall stalk, we lay it out to dry and it's ready to feed the birds and chipmunks again....nature's wonderful cycle!