Katherine does not waste words. Not much to say about these, she wrote. I just liked the graphic when I eliminated most of the color. She did not mention the bee.
Two or three years ago I came home from Providence Farm with my CSA share and a bonus: a dried flower that, like these, looked like a cross between a thistle and teasel. It caught my fancy, and I still have the flower head. A week ago I was over at Verdant Ground and there, at the end of the drive, was this very plant. What, I inquired, is that stuff? Thistles, said Katherine.
This has been driving me nuts since then–OK, someone I used to know said that was a pretty short trip–but I think I finally found an ID. It’s Echinops, a cultivated plant related to thistles, and often called Globe Thistle. There are a gazillion varieties, and I dont’ know which this is for sure, but I’m betting on Echinops exaltatus.
Just to make things interesting and keep you on your toes, there is an animal called an Echinops telfairi. I love the name. Tell a fairy. You know what it is when it’s at home? A hedgehog. A person can go down an endless number of rabbit trails–or Echinops telfairi trails–putting a blog together.
Torch Lake Views 
uphilldowndale
August 3, 2010
Do you know, I tried to post almost identical images, yesterday; the holiday PC crashed as I pressed ‘publish’ and I lost the lot. I’ve just sat down to repost it, a coincidence ehh?
Gerry
August 3, 2010
I enjoy it when a plant or animal presents itself at more than one place in my blog neighborhood and several of us write about it. I learn a lot from the different aspects people choose to highlight.
I hate it when I press “Publish” and everything disappears into the ether. I’ve taken to copying the whole post from the HTML tab before saving or publishing. Except when I forget.
Gerry
August 3, 2010
Ah! The post is up, and it’s like a mirror image of this one. You did mention the bee!
Bee’s Knees
katherine
August 3, 2010
Hummm, Very interesting . I’m glad you found it. I looked (briefly) and couldn’t figure out which, of many, it was.
Gerry
August 3, 2010
Ah well, took my OCD out for a little drive. I stumbled on the answer I think is right on a forum – it was sort of like Torch Lake Views without the dogs. It’s nice of you not to say “I told you so,” but you were, of course, right.
P.j. grath
August 3, 2010
This is a garden variety, is it not? A soft blue-green?
Gerry
August 3, 2010
Based on my explorations, Echinops is cultivated, though this particular example has taken itself off leash and is growing happily near the road edge. It’s a very soft, pale color–almost a silvery green. I think there’s a lot of variation, though.
Anna
August 3, 2010
I really like this in black and white, and interesting!
Gerry
August 4, 2010
Thanks, Anna–I think Katherine outdid herself here.
Scott Thomas Photography
August 4, 2010
They look outworldly. Even their name sounds like something for another planet. The B&W really brought out their form and texture.
Gerry
August 4, 2010
We can rely upon Katherine for exquisite studies in form and texture. Also goofball elk and the cutest, um, donkey in Antrim County. I’m just saying.