This is a close up of a cotoneaster (ka-tone-ee-AST-er) shrub in our yard, beloved by birds and photographers alike. The berries are small, about the size of a pea, and they adorn the arching branches in fall and winter. I was amazed to learn its pronunciation, by the way. I was sure it would be something like cotton-Easter. But no.

Bright red cotoneaster berries add color and bird food to a backyard

Linking with Our World Tuesday, Ruby Tuesday 2, Outdoor Wednesday, Garden Party Thursday, I Heart Macro Saturday, Macro Monday, NF Blo-Ma Tuesday, NF Catching the Light Monday, Straight out of the Camera Sunday, My Romantic Home, and Saturday Show Off. If only one photo is visible here, please click on Sara’s Fave Photos above. Thanks!

These are a kind of cotoneaster, pronounced “co-tone-ee-AST-er,” believe it or not. I mispronounced it awfully when I first saw the word. There are many kinds, from ground covers to big shrubs, and trees for all I know. Birds and squirrels love the winter berries, and they are so photogenic! The berries are about a quarter of an inch, or less than 1 cm.

Red cotoneaster berries on a winter hedge

Joining up at Scenic Weekends, Outdoor Wednesday, Straight out of the Camera Sunday, Ruby Tuesday 2, Macro Monday, I Heart Macro Saturday, My Romantic Home, Thursday Challenge (Bright Colors) and Saturday Show Off. Thank you for your visit and please come back soon! Remember to click on Sara’s Fave Photos Blog above to see the latest photos here.

The U.S. Pacific Northwest has an interesting climate. Even though it’s quite far north, the ocean currents and the large amount of straits, bays, inlets, rivers and other water features gives us quite temperate weather, although mostly cloudy. The temperatures vary here less than any other place I have ever lived. We are lucky that certain broadleaf evergreens like the holly tree flourish here.

This large tree in my neighborhood, perhaps 5 or even 10 yards/meters tall, has wonderful berries, but I noticed that they begin fairly high up. I am pretty sure that is due to people helping themselves to these very attractive holiday decorations. I was tempted.

Visit Ruby Tuesday for more splashes of red, Outdoor Wednesday, Scenic Sunday and SOOC for more straight-out-of-the-camera shots. If the berries is the only photo here, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for more.

Here’s some early Christmas decoration for you. I’m not sure if these are holly berries or what, but they sure are pretty, aren’t they? They were at the Pike Place Market in Seattle not too long ago.

Visit Ruby Tuesday and Color Carnival for more colorful photos. SOOC has more straight-out-of-the camera shots, too. Outdoor Wednesday is showing Xmas decor, indoors and out. And if you see only this one photo here, please click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the complete blog with lots more photos you might like.

I’ve been saving these photos since I took them in September at a local garden because I knew I wanted to show them at Christmastime. The common name is Doll’s Eyes, and the real name is Actaea pachypoda plant. I just think they are so cool. Of course, any white berry is probably poisonous, so don’t plant them around kids, but I just love them, and especially their highly descriptive name. Happy Holiday to you, and happy Ruby Tuesday also.

Tomorrow is the last day: PLEASE IGNORE IF READ BEFORE about the 2009 Photoblog Awards. If you like my photos, please vote for this photoblog before Dec. 15 and leave a comment in the link  below. You have to register (name and password only) and then click on the word Vote in the upper left. Thanks very much! Photoblog Awards 2009.

Out on a walk the other day, cold though it was, I found a long fence completely covered in some kind of red berry plant. I have no idea what it is. Does anyone know? But oh so red, and oh so welcome on a gray and gloomy Seattle January day.

For more ruby sightings everywhere, click HERE.