Roundleaf Snowberry blossoms, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahRoundleaf Snowberry blossoms – Nikon D500, f14, 1/400, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Last week I was excited to see the the Roundleaf Snowberry shrubs high in the Wasatch Mountains had started to go into bloom. Last summer I saw very few of these shrubs in bloom because of our ongoing drought and record breaking late spring heat. I don’t recall any of these shrubs setting fruit last year in this location at all.

Because we have been getting smalls amounts of moisture this spring and early summer quite a few of the trees and shrubs that struggled to set fruit are fruiting this year. I am hoping that the Roundleaf Snowberries (Symphoricarpos rotundifolius) do too.

Roundleaf Snowberries are in the Honeysuckle Family.

Roundleaf Snowberry starting to bloom, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahRoundleaf Snowberry starting to bloom – Nikon D500, f14, 1/500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

During this time of the year the leaves and flowers of the snowberries are eaten by moose, chipmunks and other mammals. In winter the berries are eaten by frugivorous (fruit-eating) birds including waxwings, grosbeaks and thrushes.

I pay attention to these snowberries because I know that they provide birds and mammals with food. Where I find food I find subjects to photograph. It isn’t all that complicated. Birds and mammals need food, shelter and quite often a source of water. By paying attention and looking for those three things I increase my chances of coming home with photographs of the subjects I love.

Life is good.

Mia

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