harder than you would think

these are the same thistles i photograpohed the other day. i left them to dry on my kitchen counter. now it is snowing in my kitchen. in july. anyway, it is harder than you would think to make an image like this. the delicate little hairs of the thistle fluff absolutely want to disappear against the bright white background. after almost ten years, i have learned a trick or two. but after an hour of manipulation this afternoon, i wish i had a trick or two to spare.

musk thistle gone to fluff