It is high Summer and the fields have largely had their hay cut now.
There are still stands of wheat, barley, oats and sweet corn (there is a huge grower who rents many fields locally each year) as well as peas etc.

But, on one of my many walks, enjoying the evening warmth and sunshine I noticed at the edge of some fields some truly magical golden oats! 

Avena sativa are the name for the field oats which are grown. If you look up Golden oats you usually come up with Stipa gigantea – which is an ornamental grass which grows up to 6 foot hight. (2m+).

I really wanted to share a photo of them with you. The colour is so stunning – an “old” gold – probably called “Antique” if you bought it as a paint. It is quite unlike the yellow gold of ripe corn (wheat).
Plus, the heads are delicate and flutter in a breeze.

So if you are out in the countryside – look out for the extra visitors on the field edges. Don’t forget, they could be wild flowers as well as previous crop remnants.

It was a happy find for me. I hope you enjoy it for yourself.

Chichester Self Catering July 2017.