Mark Berry/Special to the Colfax Record
Glen Caires, 76, has been planting giant sunflowers for years -- both in Livermore and Colfax. This year's crop is particularly dramatic -- towering over Caires and the front entrance to the couple's Shady Glen Estates residence. While her husband also enjoys growing tomatoes, "they're not as big," laughed JoAnne Caires.

Mark Berry/Special to the Colfax Record
A close up view of one of the giant sunflowers growing in the front yard of JoAnne and Glen Caires' Shady Glen residence.