Prickly and Pretty

Prickly and pretty

Frosted thistle in the sun

Fall into winter

Beauty and the beast

 

Beauty and the beast

Swallowtail and thistle

Living together

Pretty weeds

Weeds were blooming by the side of the pond yesterday.  The city of Crystal has a "no mow" policy that allows plants to grow naturally for a few feet by the shore of the ponds at Bassett Creek Park.  The park staff will however every so often come through and clear out the vast number of willows, etc. that then to shoot up and block people's view.

While on a walk yesterday I noticed a thistle plant by the park sign.  My initial reaction was the park staff need to get busy and do some weeding.  Then I thought some more and recalled the many goldfinches that might appreciate this misplaced "weed".

Sure enough, it turned out there were a couple of goldfinches enjoying that very thistle plant and the many thistle seeds it produced.

So it seems, one person's weed is another bird's supper.

Thistle blossom

In every moment of your life, you have a choice: 
to live your truth and light or diminish it. 

Be brilliant.

-Mayor Cory Booker's Facebook entry

Nature's banes or blessings

Thistle and bee

Have  you ever noticed how beautiful thistle is?  Hard to believe that many despise this plant.  Yet, if growing in your yard or garden, you might easily find it a nuisance, and quite prickly to touch.  This plant, that so many of us dislike, is a major source of food for the beautiful American Goldfinch. Thistle is also a great source of nectar for many butterflies.

The thistle is the national symbol of Scotland.  During medieval times when the Norse were invading Scotland it is believed that one of the Norse warriors stepped on a thistle, which then alerted the Scotts to their arrival.

Another bane for many are bees.  If you've been stung before, you can empathize. Yet, were it not for bees many of our plants and fruit trees would not be pollinated, and hence cease to produce. There has been a dramatic reduction in bees in recent years, caused by a virus and by the application of pesticides on farm land.  This is a concern, since it dramatically reduces the pollination of crops and wildflowers.

Butterfly 

So, it seems that many of the things we may dislike play a significant role in the ecosystem... and are great photographic material!

Busy bee with Swamp Milkweed

Spring in the park

Canada Geese with gosling under wing

Weeping willow catkins

River birch catkins

Thistle

Gosling under wing

Beauty and the beast

While the thistle is one of the most despised weeds, you have to admit there are times it can look pretty dapper. Even the monarch butterfly seems to have been attracted to this one.