So I was out with my camera having a great time
taking pictures of the new spring leaves on the cottonwoods and…
ducks and...
vanishing bunnies.
At the same time I was dodging nasty things
like burdock thistles
and cockle burrs.
I thought I’d gotten home safely. But discovered I’d picked up a bunch of hitchhikers.
These sticky prickles have many names such as sticktights, beggar’s ticks and hound’s tongue.
I had some other names for them.
A burr is a seed or dry fruit in which the seeds bear hooks or teeth which attach themselves to fur or clothing of passing animals or people. The hooks or teeth can be irritants and very hard to get off of clothing, such as wool or cotton. It was the inspiration for Velcro.
The cat has a few names for them too when I am pulling them out of his fur!!
ReplyDeleteGlad spring has arrived with you at last.
In the country these prickles used to drive me crazy. Also our family had a pekinese when I was a child. We spent so long cutting things like this (and worse!)out of his fur, particularly as his little body was so close to the ground.I've never had a long haired pet since!Thanks for your comment on my post Leenie, and good luck also with helping your family move.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. Burrs, the inspiration for velcro...thanks for that interesting tidbit.
ReplyDeleteWhat I hate is goat head thorns! Were they the inspiration for nails? They aren't as nice to photograph, though. Or step on and make a hole straight through your shoe.
ReplyDeleteCool I wonder if you collected a bunch of velcro burrs and lined them up on a wool weaving or felted thing if you could create a sort of story board like the felt kind in school ecept all natural? You should try it...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos as always.
ReplyDeleteI finally posted the pictures of the kids in Nepal receiving your books. Thank you so much!
Hate those burrs. Fuzzy gets upset because he can't get them out of his fur so I just cut them out. I'll be glad when I can give him his summer haircut.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
Looks like you did (I know about that)..these are great and that photo of the burdock thistle looks gorgeous..almost like in sepia!
ReplyDeleteRegina-