Its a Regular Fruit Compote Out There!

  Darling Daughter and I took a hike about the hillside the other day as we searched for an injured loon.  My son and husband had seen the poor bird flopping about in the water but, try as they might, they could not catch the bird.  They did, however, get a good eyeful of what was bothering the bird.  Someone had evidently lost a fishing lure and the bird thought it was a tasty treat.  The lure was lodged not only in the loon's bill but also in its shoulder.  This left the bird most helpless so we were all searching and hoping to help it.  When we edged near the east most side of the shore, we did not find the poor injured bird but she spied a bunch of berries dangling from a long vine.  "What are those berries?" she asked.  Well, memory failed me at the moment but after a bit, I recalled the name.  The smilax vine was loaded with huge balls of black berries!  As I photographed the smilax vine, she queried about the red berries that were growing right next to the smilax.  "I remember these berries growing all over the place but never knew the name."  That I knew right off...yaupon!  The yaupon berries were showing their brightest red of the season.

  While there is a thought that the smilax berries could be edible (I have heard this but have not tried them.), it is common knowledge that you better not try the yaupon berries.  Those will definitely cause problems in the way of severe vomiting.  Birds, however, seem not to have a problem with either and will soon strip both the smilax vine and the yaupon shrub of their fruit.  It is about time for the cedar waxwings to visit the Bayou.  Once they arrive, our compote of black and red berries (along with any other berry in view!) will disappear in a matter of minutes.  I am good with that.

  Our search for the loon was in vain, though, which makes me sad, indeed.  I have called my cousin, Michelle, in on the quest and she has been searching the marsh line over her way.  Hopefully, someone will spy the bird and be able to catch it.  There is not much hope for its survival with the hooks embedded as they are.  The poor bird cannot fly, swim or eat.  If not helped, the loon will die a slow, painful death.  This is why I abhor lures with double treble hooks.  Folks, please be careful out there...wildlife depends on us to use a bit of commonsense now and again.