Our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!

Forgive my indulgence of a patriotic moment.

[reh321]

Our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!

Forgive my indulgence of a patriotic moment.

I know you Scots consider thistle plants to be patriotic - but our neighborhood association {our next-door neighbor is the President of the association} considers them to be weeds, which we are contractually obligated to remove,

[Kerrowdown]

I know you Scots consider thistle plants to be patriotic - but our neighborhood association {our next-door neighbor is the President of the association} considers them to be weeds, which we are contractually obligated to remove,

Absolutely… the thistle was adopted as the Emblem of Scotland during the rein of Alexander III (1249 – 1286). Legend has it that an Army of King Haakon of Norway, intent on conquering the Scots, landed at the Coast of Largs at night to surprise the sleeping Scottish Clansmen. In order to move more stealthily under the cover of darkness, the Norsemen removed their footewear.

But something else was hiding under the cover of darkness. One of Haakon’s men unfortunately stood on one of these spiny little defenders and shrieked out in pain, alerting the Clansmen of the advancing Norsemen. Needless to say, the Scots won the day.

[Mooncatt]

We had some of these try to pop up in my yard in the U.S. From what I saw, they are rather aggressively invasive and the general recommendation is to pull the entire plant (including the whole root ball), a rather strong herbicide, or fire. Even with thick leather gloves, I still got poked several times trying to remove them.

Feel free to keep them over there for your photographic enjoyment.

[RobA_Oz]

Are the natives becoming restless again? Perhaps they never ceased being so?

Regardless, your national emblem is certainly photogenic, and well-captured with the relevant member of your seraglio.

[JimS_256]

Great shot. Photographically at least I love thistles.

[Apet-Sure]

Forgive my indulgence of a patriotic moment.

Braveheart Kerrowdown!

the thistle was adopted as the Emblem of Scotland during the rein of Alexander III (1249 – 1286)

Was this done to signify that the Scots are by nature a prickly bunch?

[Kerrowdown]

Even with thick leather gloves, I still got poked several times trying to remove them

The true guard dog of the plant world... case proven M'lud.

[Kerrowdown]

Are the natives becoming restless again? Perhaps they never ceased being so?

It's always good to poke the fire now again... just to keep the embers glowing...

Regardless, your national emblem is certainly photogenic and well-captured with the relevant member of your seraglio.

It was my "Sweetheart" Pentax-A*85mm F1.4 that was "oot & aboot" on a hot date with me today.

[angkymac]

You've abundantly captured the essence of the bristly things!
And you've done so without allowing the grassy background to distract from the points of the matter!
And in triples too!
Angky.

[Kerrowdown]

Great shot. Photographically at least I love thistles.

Thank you... well your perhaps half way to becoming an honorary Scot.

[Kerrowdown]

Braveheart Kerrowdown!

Absolutely...

Was this done to signify that the Scots are by nature a prickly bunch?

They saved us... so they got adopted.

[Kerrowdown]

You've abundantly captured the essence of the bristly things!
And you've done so without allowing the grassy background to distract from the points of the matter!
And in triples too! Angky.

Thank you for your kind words.

[rm2]

Beautiful shot on its own merit.

[Kerrowdown]

Beautiful shot on its own merit.

Thank you very much.