The giant thistle

I don't think I have ever seen this type of Thistle this big and lush before. Every time I spotted one, it was some small plant by the road or some abandoned field. Knee high usually. But this one was taller than me!

I could watch it grow week after week. Starting from a tiny seed in the early year (plants start the spring rance in winter here), to bigger and green leaves in very early spring until the flowers finally opened. They grow on both sides of a narrow path I usually take, and at this point it was pretty hard to pass them. Beautiful as they are, they can be pretty mean to the skin too.

It was time to make good use of my camera :)

In late spring, the sunny days were still bearable and standing in a full sun actually felt quite nice. I had time and looked like I was alone in the park. Even though I could hear some people, I could not see anyone through the overgrown weeds.

The old olive trees behind created nice bokeh with some blue sky peaking though.

Are they lovely with so much purple?





This is how tall they were. A thick bush of delicate, fluffy flowers and nasty thorns that protect them.





And among all that purple there was one white. I am not even sure if they come in white, or if it's some nature error. But it looked so lovely! Growing under the tree in full shadow.

These were shot in late May. Right now that very same spot looks like a dessert. All the plants not long after were cut down to prevent accidental fires. Dry leaves and stems and dumb people walking around with cigarettes or leaves all kinds of garbage is not the best combination.
The area is dry and empty. Only the trees stay the same.

Until late fall, when the rains come and the grasses will green up again.