June 6, 2025

“To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.” ~ Marilyn vos Savant

I was not sick, but by my walking pace, anyone who knew me would think I was ill. A two-mile walk at my usual speed generally takes me less than 30 minutes. Today, it took an hour.

I marveled at my deliberate, slow movement along the marsh trails and tuned my ears to listen more deeply, as I could not hear the typical sound of my sneakers crunching on gravel.

As aware as I was of my slowness, I was also conscious of not seeing anything that prompted me to photograph, yet intentional about touching and experiencing the textures and heartbeats of life all around me.

Soon after leaving the marsh, though, I saw a brilliant pinkish-purple spot among the natural marsh vegetation at the end of Gerritsen Creek.

I approached with quiet excitement and took a few photos of what looked like a purple sunflower.

It was a musk thistle (Carduus nutans).

Aesthetically, the musk thistle is pleasing. Its large, vibrant pink or purple drooping flowers, displayed on tall, slender stems, add elegance and a pop of color to the natural green hues of the marshland habitat, and its own jagged, deep green leaves.

Despite its beauty, the musk thistle has a reputation as an invasive species. Each plant can release thousands of seeds that spread easily in the wind, resulting in rapid colonization and overgrowth in affected areas. Their spiky leaves and stems also hinder grazing by wildlife.

However, the musk thistle provides ecological and medicinal benefits. Its deep and robust root system works to stabilize the soil and minimize erosion, and its vibrant blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that support the ecosystem. Additionally, the musk thistle has been used to improve liver function and reduce inflammation.

Is it not amazing how Nature often pairs contrasts together? What have you observed lately? What have you photographed?