misted berries

Well the sun certainly hid its head in the wet, soggy cloud today! I knew it was cool and cloudy when I left for the walk but was amazed when I reached the woods and moor to find the ground soaking wet from the mist and all over the place were delightful hanging cobwebs sparkling with liquid diamonds. I took loads of shots and many are quite good but I liked this one best.

This plant is quite low growing and is normally found in conifer woods and on moorlands. At the moment it is covered in tiny red berries which will later ripen in about August to become dark blue/purple blaeberries, which are absolutely delicious. Each tiny berry packs quite a fruity punch! They are quite tedious to pick, however, as they are so small and they stain your fingers and tongue purple but if any manage to make it back to the kitchen they are wonderful in pies, on ice-cream and for jam making. Apparently they were taken as a remedy for diarrhoea in the Hebrides and are believed to be very good for the health, including for the eyesight. Today, however, they were looking luscious covered with misty drops.