Hilltop thistles

Although the thistles in the meadows beside the lane are now a mass of fluffy down, many of these little pale mauve ones are still flowering on the hilltop, which is alive with small butterflies, mostly moving too fast for me to identify them, bees and other pollinators. 

I'd forgotten I had not posted this, as it was ready a while ago, so as this is the last Wildflower Week for 2023, I'm glad I've checked what photos I  took on missing dates and rediscovered it. Thank you Miranda for organising and hosting Wildflower Week again this year; it's always such a lovely challenge both to take part in and to follow and see so many gorgeous entries.