Winds of Autumn

[Written 10/30/24]

Today was one of those rare Texas days—both very windy and with lower humidity (in this case meaning in the fifty percents rather than higher)—that remind me of the Santa Ana winds of my youth in Southern California. As far as I know, the winds in Texas won't topple trees and crash them into houses unless the winds are part of an actual storm system, but the music—a collection of many rustling voices underlined with a tinge of unease—made from the force pushing through treetops is familiar. I remember one particular California day—it was late in the year and as I walked the eucalyptus-lined path toward my usual bus stop the wind was so loud I was worried something from the trees might be launched down on me! I definitely made quicker time that day.

Today, however, I could revel in the wind! Refreshing enough to take the edge off the higher-than-usual (which, sadly, is pretty much the new normal) temperatures and strong enough to blow through my hair and clothes, it almost felt like it could carry away my concerns along with it. It's good for a person every once in a while to close their eyes with their head back, spread out their arms, and just feel the moment. It's great with summer rain, too (so long as there isn't lightning nearby)!

The wind does cause a bit of extra challenge to seed collecting, but nothing that can't be managed. I tried to find a balance between taking advantage of the wind to blow away chaff yet without losing seeds, but if some are carried away (I always drop some, anyway) it's no matter—they'll become food for someone or grow a new plant that I may dig up to give away.

Frostweed (Verbesina virginica) seeds [left] and plant [right].

As I collected my autumn harvest of seeds I was impressed by how many arachnids and insects make dried flowerheads their home. Eryngo (Eryngium leavenworthii) seems to be a particular favorite of the tiniest of spiders, in addition to other insects, and there's some particular species of insect who is up to something on the rock rose (Pavonia lasiopetala)—probably laying eggs in the seeds or something. As much as I may (or may not) try, there are nearly always some little critters who get swept along with the seeds into my mesh bags. If they can fly and I see them right away, it's easy to open the bag and let them out. If they crawl, they usually show themselves while climbing up the inside of the bag during the next day or so. Sometimes, the tiniest of spiders and insects stay amongst the plant bits and aren't found until I'm sorting out the seeds, at which time they are then released back outside or, more rarely, put into houseplants.

Eryngo (Eryngium leavenworthii) seeds [left] and the plant [right].

The crunch of acorns and their little hats followed me around parts of the garden and I felt for the electric-blue damselfly clinging to a blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum) stem against the wind. The grace of the native grasses—little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Texas cupgrass (Eriochloa sericea), among others—eluded my photos, but I'm pleased to see how they've matured in this second year of the pocket prairie. I wonder if it may be about time to sow the prairie paintbrush (Castilleja purpurea) seeds, which require native grasses in order to survive (that species is semi-parasitic on grass roots).

Acorns [left], blue damselfly on blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum) [middle], and native grasses in the pocket prairie—little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) in the foreground and Texas cupgrass (Eriochloa sericea) in the back with green prairie coneflower (Ratibida colulmnifera) leaves to the left and back [right].

I was happy to see that the chile pequín (Capsicum annuum) plants I had started from seed indoors and planted outside about two months prior were doing well and the golden groundsel (Packera obovata) and Missouri violet (Viola missouriensis) seemed to be improved since I thinned out other plants that were shading and crowding them out. Apparently the violets were even blooming—I usually miss the flowers but there were some seeds, which I left to hopefully continue spreading the plant in that area.

Chile pequín (Capsicum annuum) [left], golden groundsel (Packera obovata) and Missouri violet (Viola missouriensis) [middle], tiny snail shell on golden groundsel [right].

Various squashes and gourds.

Completing my garden rounds, I noted the adorable little squashes that grew from last year's decorations (before the vine recently died out), added to our annual display that brings me such joy and then provides food for our local squirrels (and other critters) throughout winter.