Rainfall (and a little snow) has been a bit too plentiful this year. For the humans, we can be grateful for full reservoirs and green grass, though a dry weekend (coming up) will be nice. For the Birds and Squirrels, and all the other creepy crawly critters, this should be an Autumn and Winter of Abundant Food. Look at all the Plump Fruit on this Colorful Tree. Are these crab apples? And how about all the acorns!
I think I know what these are, November Snowflakes.. no? How about
Black Swallow-wort? This invasive vine is trying to take over.. the seeds are so pretty floating and flitting in our chilly breeze. They look so harmless, but our National Park Service puts Black Swallow-wort on ‘The Least Wanted List’. That web link to NPS says what I have found out..
“Black or Louis’ swallow-wort (previously Vincetoxicum nigrum and Cynanchum nigrum) is a perennial, twining herbaceous vine. The leaves are oval shaped with pointed tips, 3-4 in. long by 2-3 in. wide, and
occur in pairs along the stem. The small five-petaled star shaped flowers are dark purple to almost black with white hairs, about ¼ in. across, and are borne in clusters. The fruits are slender tapered
pods, 2 to 3 in. long by about ¼ in. wide, turning from green to light brown as they mature. Plants have rhizomes (underground stems) that sprout new plants and grow in clumps of several to many stems, forming
extensive patches.” I spent Halloween Weekend pulling the clumps of many many stems. We
keep fighting the invasive plants, they keep fighting back, there will
to sustain is most impressive 
Next time, let’s talk about the touchy feely blackberries, they just grab hold and do not let go.
They do look beautiful floating around, but what a pain that must be. I wish you luck and patience