Although its flowers add spectacular color and shapes when blooming, this doesn't mitigate the fact that the thistle is an invasive species in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, OK. As such, it is responsible for much of the decline in indigenous wildflower population in the refuge (but during the right seasons the wildflower displays are still quite spectacular!). Imaged September 28, 2009 while hiking the road to the top of Mt. Scott to celebrate six decades on this great planet of ours.