Thistle or not

This plant looked like a thistle of some description.I was the nasty looking leaves that caught my attention.It was on the sand dunes on the seashore.

Or not. :-lmao

Nice capture
Have never seen one of those . Well nor from that angle but it probably is the thistle family Very pretty. :)

This one was shot from a different angle Chocky.Any ideas as to what it is now?

Ahh, found it, the plant is Sea Holly, Eryngium maritimum.

thought the leaves looked un thistle like. :)

Thank you Rolf.It was the holly like leaves that attracted me to it.The colour was unusual,giving the impression the were full of salt.Being at the seaside I suppose this could be the case, or am I way of track?

Don't know enough about plants DD, although as I get older, I appreciate them more, not quite at the pottering around the garden stage yet though. :)

Well done Rolf.:acclaim:
I'm not into plants either.
I live on the coast(sea side .Lol) But haven't seen any . that is to say I haven't looked. I expect those are the plants that tare my at calves and for arms when I go along the estuary. I'll inspect them next time.