Forest Berries and Fairy Folk

Nesting season is over and the forest is suddenly very quiet.

Where once the air was filled with bird song, now it is eerily quiet.

I walk through the woods listening.

But you can hear a pin drop.

A curious thing happens with the Stellar Jays.

All the adults leave.

Only this year's nestlings remain. They clumsily fly from branch to branch, staying close to one another for company.

I am worried about them.

I saw a Cooper's Hawk down the road the other day, a lightning swift bird predator.

But so far, he hasn't discovered my little flock.

There are about 20 of them this year.

All the adults come back in September.

Maybe they leave to escape the begging!

But there is plenty to eat here in our little forest.

All the wild berries are starting to ripen.

The dusty blue berries of the Oregon Grape,

And bright red Thimble Berries.

Can you see how they got their name?

These are very pretty, but rather bland and dry.

Robins especially love these.

The blackberries are just now flowering. In the shade the flowers are lavender. But in the sun, they are white!

They carpet the ground along the side of my driveway, sharing their beauty and bounty with us and those that are wild.

I can't wait to bake Blackberry Cobbler!

These are the same type with white flowers. They are called Himalayan Blackberries. They grow everywhere and are very invasive.

This is another variety called Evergreen Blackberries. These are not as invasive, but their thorns are vicious. I love this type. They are sweeter and firmer than the Himalayans and I have 'cultivated' these along a trellis.

Both types can send out long runners up to 20 feet long.

Then there are the wild raspberries. These I reserve for myself! Years ago I discovered this variety growing along the edge of the forest. They have lovely pale bluish-green stems.

In the only reference to them in my research they were called 'Ghost Brambles'.

This is another wild berry that I 'cultivate'. I transplant them along fencing and Hubby has put up a trellis for me, also.

Every day I harvest whatever is ripe and freeze them until I have enough to add to yogurt, icecream, or scones.

They are the most delicious of all the wild berries.

Believe it or not, even Whitey loves these and eats them right off the vine!

They are mild and very sweet.

Of course, not all the berries are fit to eat! These delicate little flowers will soon turn into the bright red jewels of Nightshade, a poisonous berry.

But most berries in the forest are edible, including these lovely little huckleberries.

Delightful little snacks for forest dwellers large and small.

And quite possibly a few fairy folk, too!