We just returned from our little place in Nowhere, Mexico and need to make a few observations about this and that.
|
___________________________
|
 |
| Red Pigeon-Berry Vine |
It is my pleasure and duty to inform one and all that once you have been there you will know where, yes, no where is known. You will also know where you have been and know where you are going next. There will be no way that you or your friends will fail to be able to return to No Where, and you will know why there is a where there.
 |
| Chili Pequin |
Now, returning to less serious matters and explanations, many folks believe that the Red Pigeon Weed is a weed, worthy only of extermination. Please believe, however, that the plant is a noble and true vine, and will reward the caretaker with literally millions of little red beads. Those little red beads will attract thousands of small birds from 30 to 100 species (depending upon ones location).
Most of the visitors seem to be pigeon-like birds that are mainly gleaned from the ranks of various dove-like species that are more interesting, more attractive, and much less messy. However, one should not be surprised to see mockingbirds, orioles, and perhaps even hens and roosters trying to pluck the berries. Birds such as these latter groupings usually like hot, wild chili-peppers such as chili-pequin and chili del monte…really hot stuff.
 |
| John Jay Audubon (1785 - 1851) Probably killed more animals, birds, and other critters than 97% of the rest humanity, but in so doing, helped create a sense among the literate that the other species on Earth also had innate value to the order of things in general. And, he he almost always carried a firearm... |
We have those plants in abundance on and around our property, all left to their natural devices. We also have the miniature white pigeon weed that is very similar in its habits and construct, but one-third the size of its red cousin.
It is a peculiar plant because it seems to enjoy producing it stream of white beads which frequently pop out with small but intricate flowers. Oddly, these beads occur almost exclusively on the edges of the leaves, both sides, and towards the ends of the leaves. These are Autumnal and Springtime vine-like visitors.
Lamentably, we did not make any photographs of them on this trip, because, quite frankly, I was just too lazy.
 |
| Which one is the Sulphur? |
Finally, this has been the most intense period of visitation of Monarch Butterflies, along with the Sulphurs, we have ever had. Each species, and we counted carefully, tied for first place. We counted correctly every one of them who landed on our property during the past ten days. The count? It was exactly 31 quadrillion billion zillion and twenty-six.
Really.
More or less.
And that was just the ones we counted during daylight hours.
But, in truth Mr. AlGore, the Saviour of the Mississippi Polar Bear, your side loses every argument…like three years ago when your side agreed that because of climatechangeglobalwarmingglobalcoolingnuclearwinter, the Monarch was dead-on-arrival…forever.
We also had probably record numbers of hummingbirds…perhaps 15 sub-species or perhaps a bit more. All in all, it was a banner late-Summer and Autumn this time. Everyone…everyone…around our place commented on this phenomena.
Thank you, one and all, for your attention and time and interest.
El Gringo Viejo
_________________________
