“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall”
– Oscar Wilde
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Bright red Winterberry is a species commonly seen in eastern gardens of the United States. I read that it’s also called Michigan Holly, but I have never heard it called that here in North Carolina. The deciduous shrub has a unique purple-green foliage that turns black after a freeze before falling away, leaving clusters of bright red berries. The berries were used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans, especially during fever, so they have also been called fever bush. They always remind me of the fall.
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This photo was made in the late evening, and the silhouetted foreground trees were in deep shadow (as I was), with the mountain beyond catching the the last full sunlight.
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Partially viewed through the trees, Bear Creek Lake — or simply Bear Lake to the locals, is the largest of Duke Energy’s stair-step reservoirs on the Tuckasegee’s East Fork and is a popular destination for anglers and boaters.
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This is the road I was walking along a couple of weeks ago when making these photos (Lake Forest Drive, Bear Lake Reserve, North Carolina.) Luckily, there was little to no traffic during my stroll. Driving it is fun as well. 😁
Oh man, I love that last image of the road. I would love to walk it also. It has that inviting look.
Yeah, that’s an excellent road; some sections even had more elevation changes and switched back tighter than this section. I love driving a road like that’s like this. Thanks, Monte. Have a good week!
I am pretty sure we have a Winterberry, but it doesn’t get that many berries. It must really like that spot. I’ve never heard the reference of Michigan Holly. We do have a holly bush in our front yard, but it is the “typical” kind with red berries and the prickly edged green leaves.
Lake forest drive does look fun!