[viewer5]

Oh. I assumed oats and other grains were naturally yellow-colored plants, since that's how they're always depicted, but from checking Google I see that's not true.

Are the 'golden fields' actually green for part of the year? Is it seasonal? They can't be perpetually dead, but I'm failing to find any further information.

[CalRobert]

Yes, for a brief period in spring, especially after a good rain, the hills are coated in stunning fields of vivid green. You'd think you were in Ireland.

Oats are green, but dry out as yellow straw (the classic yellow thatch roof look is dried oaten straw, for instance)