As this Christmas Day draws to a close, I want to send warm greetings to all my readers, and wishes for a beautiful, peaceful year ahead. These thickets of berries are from the desert mistletoe (Phorodendron californicum). It is hosted by mesquite (Prosopis velutina) and whitethorn acacia (Vachellia constricta), both of which are plentiful here. I need to cut back some of the mistletoe, but our lovely black and gray Phainopeplas eat the berries, so I prefer to wait until the crop is gone.
The desert mistletoe is very pretty, Amy! I hope you and your sister enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.