Mistletoe

There are large bunches of green leaves in this otherwise bare tree which has no leaves of it's own. Those bunches are mistletoe. It is a parasite, which means that it lives on the branches of a host tree or shrub. It is actually very unhealthy for the tree that the mistletoe is growing on.

We have a tradition which involves decorating with mistletoe during the Christmas season. Our tradition is to hang a bunch of mistletoe high, like in a doorway, and any two people who happen to meet under the mistletoe, are obliged to kiss. Ewww! Wierd, huh?

While you're looking at the mistletoe, notice all of the woodpecker holes in the trees!

Holey Trees!

Can you find the holes that woodpeckers have made in these old trees? Click on the pictures to enlarge them, then see if you can find where the birds have hidden acorns in some of the holes (in the bottom picture). They are saving food to eat later in the winter! Isn't that the coolest!?