American Strawberry Bush, found at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
I discovered these berries on a walk down a fairly dark forest path. The flash of red really caught my eye, so I went macro to capture these very tiny miracles. This is called an American Strawberry Bush, and it is edible only to the animals living nearby. You can see different stages of the plant here – the original phase of magenta colored prickly “strawberry,” and then the bright red berries literally pop out. The leaves are not there any more; probably eaten by a passing deer. (There should be a sign on the bush: “Do Not Eat.” While the berries are food for birds and animals, they are toxic to humans.)
Simple Gifts
When I am walking with my camera, I’m looking for something that stands out – something unique. I didn’t see those berries the first time down the trail, but they caught my eye on the way back. How could I have missed them before? I suppose, the first time on a new trail, we are focused on the big picture; getting our bearings. Then we start noticing details later.
This makes me think about two things:
- Something can be right in front of us and we don’t see it at first. Watch for the little surprises, the gifts you might walk past. Slow down and see more intently.
- Uniqueness is a good thing. Why do we often want to blend in and be safe? Let’s wear our individuality bravely. Maybe someone needs the blessing of knowing there is “You” in their life.
For your contemplation
Find multiple ways of looking at this scene.
- What if you were a bird? Would those berries look like a gift from heaven, seen from the air?
- As a human, the bright red berries catch your eye in the dim light of the forest. What is it that draws your eye? Bright color, contrast with dullness, simple beauty? How does that make you feel?
- Think about the stem, stripped of its leaves. How many deer do you think were fed?
- Can you imagine what those berries feel like? To me they look wet. I wonder if they are actually wet, or just shiny.
Why do I think so much about plants?
Creation is all conected, and the plant kingdom has much to teach us. Think about the exchange of air that happens day and night. They feed us and we feed them the breath of life. And I keep coming back to the concept of the trees being connected by their root systems and even communicating with each other over great distances. Creation is so fascinating.
Isaiah cried out, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40: 6b – 8
Please share your plant stories in the comments. We all benefit from each others’ thoughts. May God bless your journey and show you simple gifts along the way.
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