Mushroom season

A small stand of Emetic Russula mushrooms brighten the forest floor. A non-edible mushroom that offers a bit of bliss for the eyes instead of the tongue. Autumn is a savory month for the senses. It brings out the abundance of forest smells, sights, taste and sounds. For me the crisp chill of the morning is a welcomed event after months of summer sun. The air and the light change during this time of year.  There always seems to be the day that you just know autumn has arrived. This year my ventures have followed autumn down the coast; first meeting it in Alaska and now further south in Oregon. Food is abundant, but only for a few more weeks. Frost will come soon and will end the feast that exists all around. My gathering instinct strong; collecting and preserving the bounty.

Ripening Blackberries

Birds Nest Fungi- Do you seen the eggs in the nest?? The "eggs" actually contain the spores for this fungus and are called peridioles. The "nest" acts as a splash cup. As rain falls it catches the droplets sending the peridioles flying out of the nest. Peridioles of certain birds nest fungi have a sticky trail of thread that wraps around twigs during flight and will help the peridiole swing and wrap around the piece of wood. The spores can then germinate and start the life cycle over again.