Beach Weeds

Even though these are weeds popping up along the shore of Pewaukee Lake, I think they add a nice bit of interest to the view of the horizon. The small island in the distance is where they set off the 4th of July fireworks.

Sister Suzie Sittin' on a Thistle...

(Love that line from the "Music Man"!)

Every year thistles grow wild throughout the fields in the upper midwest, and every year I am always perplexed as to why such a gorgeous flower is considered a "weed."

[Note: Be sure to click the photos, and then click again, to see the full size view.]

Thistle

This thistle is growing next to the railing of a stairway overlooking a walking path by Lake Michigan. Still tightly closed, the bloom will be a lovely fringed raspberry pink once opened. I think it looks beautiful this way, too. Hard to think of something this graceful and pretty as being a weed.