here's what was making that fun shadow. it's a poppy plant that has spread from our garden to a space between the slate slabs in front of our house. @atlantiss, @ahheus and @olgavita guessed cactus which was close enough for some LUV.
thanks also to the creative replies from @aiovo @fbpowers @moretea @umirais and @quotes-haven . they all deserve some LUV too, don't your think?