Poison oak

Everyone who spends time in the outdoors recognizes poison oak leaves. Unfortunately, not only is it tougher to identify without the leaves, it is still potent. Until it was pointed out by Bob Allen, I didn't realize the 7-8 feet tall shrub on the right was poison oak. Maybe that's how I ended up with a bad case of poison oak a couple of years ago while in Falls Canyon. I was looking down low and not paying attention to the shrubs I had to climb over. Click on the photo for a closer look and make sure you don't make any assumptions about this unassuming shrub.