Just about every conservationist will tell you that, in the list of invasive species, Japanese Knotweed, the bamboo-like plant forming thickets along roads, as well as in the edges of woods and fields, is among the most invasive-est. Indeed, many biologists deem it, if not Public Enemy Number One then certainly in the top five. In terms of saving native plants, so goes the litany, the only good Knotweed is a dead Knotweed. I'm not inclined to disagree. Still, there are times when I just might cut the invader just the slightest bit of slack, and this afternoon, when I was out looking for rare geese—I didn't find any—was one of them. With the low sun backlighting the roadside plants, their overly abundant seeds took on the look of tiny Christmas lights, a beautiful sight in the days well past Twelfth Night and Epiphany when the tree and everything else were traditionally taken down and stored away. These natural decorations are still in place.