The very meaning of Creation is seen to be an act of worship, a devoted proclamation of the splendour, the wonder, and the beauty of God. In this great Sanctus, all things justify their being and have their place.
Evelyn Underhill
Rain and more rain. Overcast skies and a fine mist seems to be the norm for the day. This image was taken yesterday afternoon on a walk at Arapaho Bend Natural Area. I believe this to be a Musk Thistle from my research on Dr. Google. There are an amazing varieties of thistle so how any scientist can differentiate them is beyond me. Anyway, it’s unpalatable to wildlife and livestock so they focus their foraging on other plants, which leaves the musk thistle to have an advantage over native meadows and grasslands. Thus it is considered an invasive plant. When I do the research most sites want to stress the plants invasiveness and how to control it. Most sites say that natural grasses will out compete them. Such a simple solution. For me I think it’s a beautiful plant among the grasses and does bring awe and wonder to my soul. Maybe that’s their place and justification for existence. I came home with muddy shoes, a few photos and a clearer head. Great medicine. Have a great day!
4 Comments
Faye White
They’re very pretty, in a ‘don’t touch me’
kind of way. 🙂
Monte Stevens
They are not for the centerpiece on the table for sure. This mornings rain has lifted so we enjoyed blue skie and sunshine this afternoon.
Earl
This photo brings back memories of growing up on a cattle farm with several large pastures. This was before herbicides like “RoundUp,” so when I was old enough, my father and I would sometimes spend a Saturday hoeing/digging up thistles and other weeds in the pastures. The ones we dealt with were invasive, fast-growing, and dominant over common grass. We must have done an excellent job eradicating them; I don’t remember thistles in those fields in later years.
I will begrudgingly give them that when flowering, they are pretty. 😉
Monte Stevens
Although they have a lovely flower I lean towards you stance. Where I find their beauty is the natural areas where they are not invasive of grazing land. I have family members and friends who farm and ranch and for them they are invasive, needing to be eliminated.