Roundleaf Snowberry berries and spider webs – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Last week while I was up in the Wasatch Mountains I had the opportunity to take photos of Roundleaf Snowberry berries in between photographing birds. Because of our ongoing drought many of the trees and shrubs that produce fruits and berries are doing poorly this year. There were very few snowberries on the bushes that I saw and in good years they are full of lovely white berries.
Ripening Roundleaf Snowberry berries – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I pay attention to flowers, bushes, shrubs and trees all year long because I know that they can provide food and shelter for the birds and animals I photograph.
Roundleaf Snowberry berries and tiny blooms – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Towhees, waxwings, thrushes, and grosbeaks eat the berries, or drupes, of Roundleaf Snowberries along with bears, mice, rabbits and members of the squirrel family. Elk and deer eat the leaves.
Roundleaf Snowberry blooming in Morgan County – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
During the spring when Roundleaf Snowberries are blooming chipmunks will eat the blooms and hummingbirds will come to the flowers to partake of the nectar. Another common name for Roundleaf Snowberry is Mountain Snowberry.
Numerous insects are attracted to Roundleaf Snowberry shrubs throughout the spring, summer, and fall and because of that many insect eating birds can be found foraging in their leaves and branches.
I’ve seen Green-tailed Towhees not only use the Roundleaf Snowberry bushes for shelter but I’ve noticed them using them for nesting too.
By paying attention and knowing native shrubs that provide food and shelter for birds and animals I have had many opportunities to photograph my subjects that I might have missed otherwise.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my flower, shrub, and tree photos.
The blooming Roundleaf Snowberry was photographed in June of 2019. The other three images were taken last week.
Drought is a vicious killer. Sadly, as you know, it often ‘keeps company’ with fire – another vicious killer.
The snow berries are beautiful. I hope next year is much, much better for them and for all those they feed and/or shelter.