WILDERNESS EXPOSED

Snow Berries

Mountain Ashberry on McClure Pass, Colorado

In the late autumn, mountain foliage is often covered in an early snow contrasted by the Aspen tree's intense yellow leaves. The colorful berries of American mountain-ash are eaten by numerous species of birds and small mammals, including ruffed grouse, ptarmigans, sharp-tailed grouse, blue grouse, American robins, other thrushes, waxwings, jays, squirrels, and rodents. American mountain-ash is a preferred browse for moose and white-tailed deer. Moose will eat foliage, twigs, and bark.