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Monday 1 November 2021

The mushroom hunt

A beautiful autumn day in early October, before my accident, my friend and I headed to the Rotary Friendship Trail. It was the day she had immunotherapy treatment for cancer and between appointments at the hospital, we decided to walk the trail.


This therapy has helped my friend a great deal. She has her energy back and is involved in life again, with a spring in her step and renewed enthusiasm for life. We enjoy the treatment day excursions and the Rotary Trial didn’t disappoint us.


My friend has developed a recent interest in mushrooms and despite some colour in the canopy, 





we looked down as we walked the trail. The forest floor on either side of the path had much to see 





and we walked carefully through the undergrowth to photograph the fungi. 





Neither of us could identify the mushrooms 





nor say which were edible. 





We didn’t want to eat them anyway, just admire and photograph them and there were lots to see. 





Many were spread out in the detritus 





though most of this years leaves had yet to fall by early October. 





Some were attached to fallen trees decomposing on the forest floor.





These small plants with black berries were spread around the forest floor as well. 





They stood out with the red centres around the black berries.


Before long we headed back to the hospital for the therapy and later I drove my friend home. 


We look forward to another excursion tomorrow.





33 comments:

Rose said...

Wow, a treasure of mushrooms. I have always loved finding them, too. And I love that last plant, but I don't know what it is.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

You found some beauties!

Debbie said...

the prettiest of fancy fungi. i think you were smart to "not eat" the mushrooms, not knowing what you are eating. if you are curious, i am sure there is a guide on-line that would help you out!!

Debbie said...

maybe this would help...

https://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/pubs/gtr/gtr_nrs79.pdf

Hena Tayeb said...

Oh such lovely finds.

Boud said...

I love lichen and fungi, and the first crops are exciting. Such great colors. I know a few of the ones you show, but play it very safe around fungi.

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Mushrooms can be so colorful and pretty.

A nice new interest for her. In lots of ways. Especially since one has to walk in the outdoors, to do it.

Best wishes to her.

🍂 🍂 🍂

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Wondering.... Do you have an Ap on your phones... On which you take a pic of the mushroom, and it tells you, what it is?

Like our daughter in law does with flowers and etc.

Perhaps you can look and see, if you can get this Ap or whatever it is....

-smile-

🍂 🍂 🍂

Elephant's Child said...

You found some beauties. I hope (and am sure) that you have another wonderful excursion tomorrow.

At Home In New Zealand said...

Fungi are a fascinating plant. I love finding them like this, and there are so many different ones. I have no idea what they are though, and, like you, are happy to just enjoy looking at them.

Mage said...

Thank you.

Bill said...

What wonderful discoveries.

Ruth Hiebert said...

It is so good to hear that your friend is doing well. WOW! You did find a lot of mushrooms and such pretty ones, too.

DJan said...

I love to see the mushrooms pop out like that. You found some real beauties. I'm hoping for more in your next outing. :-)

The Furry Gnome said...

Nice variety of mushrooms you found.

William Kendall said...

Fungi have such a rich variety.

Red said...

Mushrooms are a very interesting group. I could not identify one mushroom but have met people who not only identify most mushrooms but know all about them.

Barbara said...

I love that top picture. I can just imagine myself laying on a blanket and looking up. The mushrooms and fungi were interesting. I not a fan of either but there is a reason they exist so I'm glad they were so interesting looking.

Lorrie said...

You saw a lot of different fungi on your walk. Lovely photos of them. I don't know much at all about mushrooms and which are edible or poisonous. I assume all are the latter.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
You found a nice variety of mushrooms. I enjoy looking for and photographing the mushrooms too. But, we have not seen many this year. I am glad your friend is doing well. Take care, enjoy your day!

Helen said...

They are beautiful!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Fungi are not easy to identify, requiring a good deal of study, often involving the gills and the substrate where it grows, and several are frustratingly similar. I have always considered a walk in nature therapeutic, Marie, and you and your friend have validated the claim. I hope you are both doing well.

Retired Knitter said...

Mushrooms are the most interesting of plants with all their shapes and colors.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful pictures
Prayers for your friend's health

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

How lucky for your friend to have you there for her ... a walk like that is therapy for sure ... and, as usual, your pictures are superb. (so glad you are back.)

Rhodesia said...

We bought a book on French mushrooms and toadstools and I still battle to do and ID!!! There seem to be a lot around this year! Hope all is well and you are recovering from your accident. Diane

Nancy J said...

Hi, I have finally caught up with your news. The fungi are so varied, and to walk after that disastrous fall must feel like you have just escaped from somewhere. And I agree, some doctors and surgeons look so young. My first cataract surgery was a huge success, the wonderful surgeon is here in NZ for maybe 3 years, from Spokane, Washington, a delightful gentle accent, and wonderful gentle manner. now my left eye ius worse than the right eye was before surgery,So I am on the waiting list, hopefully within 4 months. Our public health system is great, but waiting times are long, unless it is an emergency or a severe problem. Take care walking as you soak up that fresh air before it gets too cold to wander far.

John's Island said...

Great photos. Nice to see you posting again!

JudithK said...

I once got interested in mushrooms. When I learned that ID was very difficult, involving placing a cap on a a white piece of paper overnight, I confess I lost interest.
Apparently, they can look much alike, but the spores that drop are different colors on the paper. Sheesh. But they are all glorious to see.

peppylady (Dora) said...

Glad to hear your friend is do better. It amazing the advancement they made with cancers. Hopefully they can total clear it, in near future.
Coffee is on and stay safe

photowannabe said...

Wow, what a variety of fungi.
All so lovely in their own way.
Amazing
Sue

Catarina said...

So many! And how beautiful they look. I never thought they could be so photogenic!!

Liz Hinds said...

What beautiful mushrooms. I keep saying I am going to learn about them but I'm not sure if I'd ever be brave up to eat some on my authority!