Welted Thistle buds
At this time of the year, the buds of thistles start to explode again.
The picture shows a Welted Thistle having flower heads in crowded clusters at ends of branches full of prickles. Those sharp prickles protects the thistle against herbivorous animals, discouraging them from feeding on the plant.
The flowers are usually purple but I was lucky to find a rare specimen on which red flowers will grow.
Dutch name : Kruldistel
German name : Krause Distel
Latin name : Carduus crispus
Adele D. Oliver 25/05/2010 21:55
You sharp focus really shows how lethal all these little spikes are, Mark ... beautiful how the bits of red blossoms are peaking through the green!!cheers, Adele
Hans-Günther Schöner 25/05/2010 19:31
Wunderbar freigestellt !!!
Kompliment !
Gruß
Hans-Günther
Josef Kainz 25/05/2010 12:22
Eine sehr schöne Aufnahme gefällt mir sehr gutlg. josef
Die Mohnblumen 25/05/2010 7:54
Eine ganz ausgezeichnete Aufnahme, klasse präsentiert. +++++LG K-H
Heinz Janovsky 25/05/2010 6:54
Feine Bildgestaltung.Gruß Heinz
Deryck 24/05/2010 21:26
This is great! I would love the see them in full bloom. I can only imagine what red thistles would look likeDeryck
Jan Rillich 24/05/2010 21:23
I only like them when goldfinches are on the top :))Jan
Vera Shulga 24/05/2010 18:19
Excellent shot!Ryszard Basta 24/05/2010 18:05
wspaniala jakosc zdjeciaCsomorLászló 24/05/2010 17:31
Excellent 3D shot!bw
CsL
Canan Oner 24/05/2010 14:45
How beautiful the thistle looks..Soon the flowers will pop up I think..Cheers,
Canan
Vitória Castelo Santos 24/05/2010 14:26
Wunderbares Bild!++++++++++++++
LG Vitoria
EdelS 24/05/2010 13:16
Ein sehr schönes Foto was Du wieder präsentierst.Super!
Liebe Grüße Edelgard
Fons van Swaal 24/05/2010 12:02
BEAUTIFUL SHOT.....Waiting for them to pop open and see the flowers......
Best regards,
F....
† Ushie Farkas 24/05/2010 12:00
VOM ALLERFEINSTEN, Mark! Salut Ushie