Thistles, scotch and creeping

The sun shines through the gold-coloured grass stems and these heads of thistledown.

We used to call the flying bits of fluff 'fairies' when I were a lad.  But of course they are the thistle's very effective way of distributing its seeds over quite long distances.

These are the seeds of the very common Creeping Thistle, (Cirsium arvense)which not only spreads by seed but by creeping underground stems as well.

The flowers are quite pretty and very attractive to pollinating insects.

But even more impressive are the flowers of the Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) also known as the Scotch Thistle. 

Very spiky!