Gray Dogwood

This lovely little shrub is actually native to Michigan and used in many restoration/rehabilitation nature projects. It is probably overlooked by most people walking by, but not me. The warm sunlight backlighting the early maturing fruit caught my eye, along with the red stems contrasting with the green. Soon enough, this tough little plant will be providing much needed food and cover for the wildlife to get through the vagaries of the mid-west climate. I love the shadows it is casting onto itself as well as the creamy background.