Skywatch, Cotton Field Sunset

Can a field of cotton get any more stunning?

 That deep red sunset sure makes a it stand out!

Thanks to Christine Weerts, guest photographer!

Linking to Skywatch Friday

and City Daily Photo Blogs

Wilted Cotton

Cotton is blooming but wilting in the extreme heat. Hopefully, this field was fortunate enough to catch some of the heavy showers that moved through this week!

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Cotton 2009

While U.S. cotton production is expected to be slightly up this year, success of the Southeast crop depends on when the rain stops.

This field appears almost ready for harvest, but the weather is too wet, and it's been that way for weeks. Cotton needs plenty of dry weather in the fall to mature. Read more about the 2009 outlook for Central Alabama cotton and other crops HERE.

Photo by guest photographer Christine Weerts

Cotton Harvest

October is cotton harvest time in Dallas County, and these bountiful fields were captured on camera in 2008 by guest photographer Christine Weerts.

This year, we have lots of rain that has hindered farming as a whole. But next week, the weather is finally supposed to be cool and dry.

Photograph by Christine Weerts

Field of Cotton

Here's the plant where bluejeans, t-shirts, towels and bed linens begin. Cotton grows on stalks and is ready for harvest in the fall. The white fiber matures inside a green boll that gradually turns brown and woody. Eventually, it bursts out of the boll and is ready for picking.
There isn't as much cotton around here this year due to drought and a switch by some farmers to peanuts and corn.
If you want to know how much cotton it takes to produce a suit, a pair of jeans or a towel, check out this link.