Nandina

The Nandina bush has been a perennial in my yards, whether Arizona, Hawaii or Texas. What a hardy little bush! Throughout the year, it goes through several stages and in the winter, it produces lovely red berries, somewhat similar to those of the pyracantha bush. The sun was hitting the plant at just the right angle to bring out some pretty colors and tones but the wind was blowing so hard, I could not get a steady photo. "Real" photographers wait for optimum conditions, which may mean they get up at 4 in the morning to catch the right light! And they will more often than not, use a tripod to avoid that inevitable minute shaking.

Luscious Berries

Yupon Berries

I enjoy taking photos of berries of all kinds. Not too long ago, I had to cut down a big tree that was rubbing against the rain gutter on my roof. The problem was that wild critters enjoyed the berries that were hanging in luscious clusters from the tree, right over the roof. At night I would hear scratching in the walls... most likely from rats. The pest control expert said that other critters were on the roof, too. Other times I would hear nocturnal thunderous galloping across the roof. Most likely opossums, as evidenced by their droppings.