What are drupes? In botany a drupe is a plump fruit which does not split open when ripe, with a thin skin and a central shell containing a single seed. Examples are Almond, Cherry, Peach, Elderberry, Olive, Coffee, and Coconut. And of course Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) seen in the picture above.

Right now in the mountains there are many Blackhaw bushes or small trees with loads of drupes ripening from a pinkish red color to blue-black, sometimes with a white bloom. The drupes, if they last long enough, will dry and take on a raisin appearance. There is a long list of birds that enjoy the drupes including many of my favorites. A few of them: the Hermit Thrush, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, and Red-eyed Vireo. Autumn brings changes in the color of the leaves too, on these deciduous bushes. They really get into the spirit of the season with leaves turning many shades of red, purple, yellow and orange.