Difficult to resist!

The wonderful architecture of the fruiting stage of the Compositae group of flowers should never be taken for granted. We probably see the common ones, like Dandelion 'clocks', every day, but a close-up view is still a glimpse into the beauty of natural forms. This one, the Goat's-beard or Tragopogon pratensis, is not nearly as widespread as Dandelion and in comparison, seems to have a bit of class. It is larger and more elegant and the clock of parachute-aided seeds seems to stay intact for longer. Although I was out photographing butterflies, beetles and other insects today I could not resist taking yet another shot of this amazing plant.