Slide Show: A Walk in the Woods

Courtyard of the Hotel el Pabellon, San Sebastian del Oeste, where the trek officially started. La Bufa is to the left of the hills seen in the background.

The trek up La Bufa began on a cobbled road leading out from the main village square, past agave farms (the source of the local raicilla, a type of mezcal) and residences with mules grazing and chickens pecking and dogs sleeping and freshly-c

The trek up La Bufa began on a cobbled road leading out from the main village square, past agave farms (the source of the local raicilla, a type of mezcal) and residences with mules grazing and chickens pecking and dogs sleeping and freshly-c

This gorgeous, hot pink salvia was one of the first I set eyes upon. I saw many other salvias, with flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, red and reddish-orange. Now I get why hummingbirds head to Mexico in the winter – for all those nectar-r

This gorgeous, hot pink salvia was one of the first I set eyes upon. I saw many other salvias, with flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, red and reddish-orange. Now I get why hummingbirds head to Mexico in the winter – for all those nectar-r

Much of this remote mountain road was intricately cobbled. It only makes sense when you learn that the area was growing into a prosperous mining town during the 18th century, with dozens of gold, silver and lead mines and foundries. The population pea

Much of this remote mountain road was intricately cobbled. It only makes sense when you learn that the area was growing into a prosperous mining town during the 18th century, with dozens of gold, silver and lead mines and foundries. The population pea

This is clearly a member of the family Convolvulaceae (morning glory family) – possibly an Ipomea.

This is clearly a member of the family Convolvulaceae (morning glory family) – possibly an Ipomea.

A gorgeous view towards San Sebastian del Oeste, towards the top

A gorgeous view towards San Sebastian del Oeste, towards the top

Ecstasy: sun streaming through pines and oaks on a desolate Mexican hillside, silent except for the wind racing up the valley and through the trees.

Ecstasy: sun streaming through pines and oaks on a desolate Mexican hillside, silent except for the wind racing up the valley and through the trees.

This is my new screen-saver. I’m infatuated with this plant and with the place where I photographed it. To get this photo, I scrambled up steep, slippery, pine needled slopes to reach the top of a cliff, where I stood teetering with my back abou

This is my new screen-saver. I’m infatuated with this plant and with the place where I photographed it. To get this photo, I scrambled up steep, slippery, pine needled slopes to reach the top of a cliff, where I stood teetering with my back abou

Remind you of anything? That’s because it’s a close relative of the eggplant (and tomato). It’s a Solanum. But which one? That’s where I call upon plant nerd friends who know the Mexican flora better than I.

Remind you of anything? That’s because it’s a close relative of the eggplant (and tomato). It’s a Solanum. But which one? That’s where I call upon plant nerd friends who know the Mexican flora better than I.

I could keep you here all day looking at my photos of plants I found on that hike. There were lots of pink, purple, orange and red tubular flowers but after a while, they all start to look the same, unless you are a some kind of plant freak. So take i

I could keep you here all day looking at my photos of plants I found on that hike. There were lots of pink, purple, orange and red tubular flowers but after a while, they all start to look the same, unless you are a some kind of plant freak. So take i

This gorgeous blue salvia may be Salvia mexicana, a widespread species, according to Burl Mostul of Rare Plant Research

This gorgeous blue salvia may be Salvia mexicana, a widespread species, according to Burl Mostul of Rare Plant Research