love thistles....the one on the left is so beautiful just before it opens.
the last photo was taken on my folks property in illinois during our last visit home. they were everywhere in the fields. the first image is from our front yard. that plant is related to the artichoke and has edible leaves. i need to brave up and give it a whirl in the kitchen and see how it tastes...it's the fuzziness that's throwing me a bit!