While it is cold out there, it isn't so cold that out thistles have turned blue from the frigid temperatures. So it must be something in the water out on the west coast causing these ones to turn blue.:) A good closeup on these interesting plants, Thad. Nice focus work in the photo and a good presentation of the shot.
The reason why the sun sets in the evening is because it wants to see the sunrise in the morning. I rise in the morning because I want to see them both. RvdB