http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t309/fabfive2001/DSC00752.jpg anybody know what these are called?

That's a great pic

that thing lasted about 3 seconds after I took that pic. She couldn't wait to blow it away. We used to spray them with hair spray to keep them from blowing away so easy. If you spray them with hair spray you can put them in a bouquet .

they grow in the road ditches

I think this is what you are finding...although ours are probably an Eastern variety....

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nursery-weeds/weedspeciespage/salsify/Western_salsify_Tragopogon_dubius.html

thanks G. heres another cool link http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/trodm.htm

Thanks for that! What I always called Goats Beard is very similar but smaller..Is this what you call Goat's Beard too? I'm wondering if it's a regional variety or local common name that I learned from somebody and I've been wrong all this time....

no I always called it "those big azz dandalions lookin thingyzs growin in the road ditch"