114 :: Red Berries

Jaana: Sunkissed red berries of a Crab Apple tree.

Kia: In Gaelic folklore, the native Hawthorn, also known as the Faerie Tree, marks the entrance to the otherworld. The berries are commonly made into jellies, jams and syrups, and used to make wine or to add flavour to brandy.

109 :: Rowan

Jaana: Unlike last year, there's hardly been berries on rowan trees this fall. Instead their foliage is spectacularly colorful.

Kia: The Yellow-berried Rowan (Sorbus Joseph Rock) has its branches adorned with bountiful jewel-like berries. They are very attractive to fruit-eating birds, and this is reflected in the old name "bird catcher".

50 :: Berries

Jaana: Our European Rowans (Sorbus aucuparia) are carrying a big crop of berries this year. According to an old proverb, it means that we won't be getting much snow this winter, because the Rowan won't carry two loads.

Kia: Autumn jewels in the shape of berries are dripping from trees and bushes right now. I especially like the deep pink berries of the ornamental Kite-leaf Rowan (Sorbus oligodonta). In Scottish folklore, Rowan trees are said to be protectors against evil and enchantments.

40 :: Signs Of Autumn

Jaana: Blueberries, lingonberries, rowan berries...

Kia: Squirrels are busy gathering nuts and seeds to store for the long winter, and leaves begin to change color.