Cedar Waxwing in Pokeberry

by Karen Adams

Title

Cedar Waxwing in Pokeberry

Artist

Karen Adams

Medium

Photograph - Fine Art Digital Prints - Photography

Description

I was standing quite still one late afternoon in August in my Ohio garden waiting for a butterfly to land, when I heard the rustling overhead. There were two Cedar Waxwings eyeing the berries on a nearby Pokeweed. I know it is a weed, but I do love the color and so I have let a couple of them grow in my yard. My inaction to clear away this 'weed' tempted these two hungry winged visitors and so I took a couple quick pictures of them before they realized the jig was up. They had been spotted and quickly flew away. I hurried back inside hoping that they would circle back around and enjoy a nice dinner!

I do love the coloring and plumage of Cedar Waxwings. They have such lovely subtle shading from brown to yellow with red and white accents. They come into my yard it seems with the sole intent of stealing berries from any plant that may have them. They sure are pretty masked bandits!


Cedar Waxwing common name
Bombycilla cedrorum

Pokeweed or pokeberry (Phytolacca americana) is a native plant that grows in disturbed soils, such as fields and pastures. The plant is hazardous to livestock and all parts of the plant are considered toxic. It is a perennial with a red, woody stem boasting long, oval leaves that may get up to ten inches long. Greenish flowers appear in July to September and yield to grape-like clusters of berries. While the fruits have been used in traditional medicine and pies, they are filled with compounds that cause unpleasant physical reactions. Birds seem to enjoy these berries with no problems, but be careful no children or pets are tempted to eat any part of this plant!

(Read more at Gardening Know How: Controlling Pokeweed: How To Get Rid Of Pokeberry Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pokeweed/controlling-pokeberry-plants.htm)

Thank you so much for looking at my images. I appreciate that very much.

I am very concerned with our environment and have decided to donate any money I make from any sales of this image to the ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND.....because the Earth needs a good lawyer! We all need to speak up and support efforts to protect our environment. We will not get a second chance!


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Uploaded

August 19th, 2019

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