a formidable enemy?

i would think so. those spikes alone look nasty and harbor minute insects like spider mites. that would definitely kill me.

so i have a goodly amount of respect for this sucker and won't come near it lest i upset it and it unleashes its wrath on me. what do i do? shoot it at 200mm. that's sufficient distance between us.

[Maggiemae]

Very beautiful, taken at the right time to see these prickles outlined in the light! Its a Scottish thistle so you can't shoot it - just play the bagpipes at it and it will wilt naturally!

[summerfield]

@maggiemae - oooohhh the bagpipes. those kill me eardrums! hahaha! thank you, maggiemae.

[bkb in the city]

Great shot

[Carolyn Sue]

wonderful colors!!

[Osia Strasner]

Excellent shot from such a distance! Love the backlighting...gotta respect your enemies!

[dh (delena)]

Beautiful

[aurorajane]

I know thistles are nasty to handle, but I do love the details in their structure. Lovely capture

[June]

Great shot of the enemy! Love the contrast of the softness of the flower to the hard spikes below.

[Cathrine Mitchell]

Amazing shot. Oh how beautiful the flower a mist the spikes.

[Claire]

I love thistles, they are so beautiful but with a 'I will hurt you if you touch me' feel
Lovely shot

[Ness Santvoort]

so pretty, I really like how the flower is perched on the top of the spikes, great dof too

[Christine Krebs]

summerfield, I'm sorry that I didn't get the challenge completed this past week. Things just got very crazy with work, school and the holiday. I will try to squeeze in your challenge this week after my exam is done.

I really love your shot for today. Great focus and colors!

[Helge Erik Storheim]

A study in green and a bit of pink ;) Beautiful capture.

[Amy]

Fantastic shot Summerfield!

[Tara]

The lighting is perfect and it captured all of the details just right. And of course, being purple helps me like it!

[Ann H. LeFevre]

I think they're beautiful even with the spikes, but like Maggie, I've got Scottish blood running in me!