"The nature of the forest is that resource limitations require diverse communities to interconnect and interact."
I'm sure there's some broader wisdom in that sentence about how to be, but really I just love knowing there's a whole community collaborating, supporting each other, and hopefully thriving. I'm not even sure what in particular I love about the idea, but I know it's intriguing, and comforting.
Your comparison of forest floor mushrooms to coral reefs struck such a chord - I've spent countless hours observing the same ocean-like architecture on moist woodland floors. Your stunning photography captures that underwater quality perfectly, especially in those velvety specimens that could easily be mistaken for sea anemones if you squint just right. I've often found myself 'scuba diving' through the forest floor (minus the wetsuit, thankfully), discovering new colonies and connections with each visit with my macro lens and camera. Thank you for consistently sharing your brilliant work, especially pointing out the parallels between seemingly disconnected natural worlds.
Thank you so much, Jack, I knew I couldn't be the only one struck by the similarity! Nature echoes this way, and I often find myself in a deeply quiet awe at the way the wildly different reflect environments still reflect each other in pattern or form or function. It's almost like they're all inextricably connected on an underlying level or something 🤣
Wow Sydney the photos are surreal! The more I learn about fungi the more I grow to love it. Your writing is both poetic and informative, a truly wonderful read thank you🙌🏼
Wonderful to know that you have many, many types of mushrooms growing in your Maine woods! Thank you for sharing these grand pics and details with us today! As you know from having lived near coastal Washington state we also have many, many mushrooms, too! Like LOTS! Living on the Olympic Peninsula, is a bit of a mushroom paradise. So true about taking the time to get to know mushrooms slowly. They can be challenging to identify. For anyone wanting to learn more I suggest your local Mushroom Society. They often offer free classes and walks with knowledgeable people.
Great point, Sandy, thank you! And yes, oh my goodness, the mushroom abundance of the PNW! Our natural environment here is similar in a lot of ways to where we lived on the west coast - but nothing really compares to a true temperate rainforest for just piling life-upon-life to spectacular effect :)
Thank you so much, Sandy! I greatly appreciate pieces like this one - a reminder of all that is possible when we set our efforts in the right directions 💕
Thanks so much, James! Tugging on the thread of learning more about mushrooms really does make you realize that there's an entire universe there to unravel :)
Stunning photos Sydney! Having fun with fungi! Now there's a concept. Somehow they speak to me of real humility. They do so much work beneath the surface of recognition and just show up every now and then to share some beauty. Thanks again. I am so glad there is someone like you who shares your wonderful skills and noticing.
Wow….. Such a different world. Australia is so dry and exposed. I follow a fellow - Joseph Pallante? - who shows me such beauties in islands to the north of Australia where sufficient rainfall and humidity encourage their growth. This world is such an extraordinary place. Thank you so much for sharing the wonders of your patch of it.
You're so right, Beth! Oh right, Myconeer - his work is stunning! I do have a soft spot for forest-y places with plenty of water on the landscape. I find arid places lovely and fascinating to visit - but I need a little more moisture for it to feel like home 🤣
Of course! I agree that mushrooms really are spectacular. I love macro shots like the beautiful ones in your article. Really lovely work - hope to see more :)
"The nature of the forest is that resource limitations require diverse communities to interconnect and interact."
I'm sure there's some broader wisdom in that sentence about how to be, but really I just love knowing there's a whole community collaborating, supporting each other, and hopefully thriving. I'm not even sure what in particular I love about the idea, but I know it's intriguing, and comforting.
I agree, Sarah! Honestly, you described exactly the way I felt as I was writing this :)
Your comparison of forest floor mushrooms to coral reefs struck such a chord - I've spent countless hours observing the same ocean-like architecture on moist woodland floors. Your stunning photography captures that underwater quality perfectly, especially in those velvety specimens that could easily be mistaken for sea anemones if you squint just right. I've often found myself 'scuba diving' through the forest floor (minus the wetsuit, thankfully), discovering new colonies and connections with each visit with my macro lens and camera. Thank you for consistently sharing your brilliant work, especially pointing out the parallels between seemingly disconnected natural worlds.
Thank you so much, Jack, I knew I couldn't be the only one struck by the similarity! Nature echoes this way, and I often find myself in a deeply quiet awe at the way the wildly different reflect environments still reflect each other in pattern or form or function. It's almost like they're all inextricably connected on an underlying level or something 🤣
Wow Sydney the photos are surreal! The more I learn about fungi the more I grow to love it. Your writing is both poetic and informative, a truly wonderful read thank you🙌🏼
Thank you so much, Amaranta, I’m so glad to connect with another fungi fan! You will always keep finding more to love about them :)
Oh, to have seen all of these!
It's truly astonishing, Diane, and this isn't even half of them 🤣 💕
Wonderful to know that you have many, many types of mushrooms growing in your Maine woods! Thank you for sharing these grand pics and details with us today! As you know from having lived near coastal Washington state we also have many, many mushrooms, too! Like LOTS! Living on the Olympic Peninsula, is a bit of a mushroom paradise. So true about taking the time to get to know mushrooms slowly. They can be challenging to identify. For anyone wanting to learn more I suggest your local Mushroom Society. They often offer free classes and walks with knowledgeable people.
Great point, Sandy, thank you! And yes, oh my goodness, the mushroom abundance of the PNW! Our natural environment here is similar in a lot of ways to where we lived on the west coast - but nothing really compares to a true temperate rainforest for just piling life-upon-life to spectacular effect :)
Happy Thanksgiving Sydney! Here's a story of a little success here in the PNW that I want to share with you.
https://open.substack.com/pub/streetsmartnaturalist/p/thankful-for-salmon-and-beaver?r=2l04ge&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Thank you so much, Sandy! I greatly appreciate pieces like this one - a reminder of all that is possible when we set our efforts in the right directions 💕
Great images, Sydney! I really like the photos of the Amanita/Argaric mushrooms.
Thanks so much, Neil! They always make me think of cartoon fairy tales :)
Beautiful fungi!
A lovely ode to mushroomkind. I am always amazed by them and trying to learn more about them also. Thanks for this.
Thanks so much, James! Tugging on the thread of learning more about mushrooms really does make you realize that there's an entire universe there to unravel :)
Stunning photos Sydney! Having fun with fungi! Now there's a concept. Somehow they speak to me of real humility. They do so much work beneath the surface of recognition and just show up every now and then to share some beauty. Thanks again. I am so glad there is someone like you who shares your wonderful skills and noticing.
Thanks so much, Ian! Such a great point about humility, they are a really stunning illustration of being so much more than ever meets the eye :)
Wow….. Such a different world. Australia is so dry and exposed. I follow a fellow - Joseph Pallante? - who shows me such beauties in islands to the north of Australia where sufficient rainfall and humidity encourage their growth. This world is such an extraordinary place. Thank you so much for sharing the wonders of your patch of it.
You're so right, Beth! Oh right, Myconeer - his work is stunning! I do have a soft spot for forest-y places with plenty of water on the landscape. I find arid places lovely and fascinating to visit - but I need a little more moisture for it to feel like home 🤣
Sydney! These photos are so lovely. I love how you make me notice all the things around me and above me and under my feet.
Thank you so much, Laura! I hope you have the chance to connect with a really fabulous mushroom soon 🤣
Wonderful article and photos Sydney
Thank you so much, Sandra!
Mushrooms are fascinating! Beautiful photos, Sidney, as always. 🤎🍄🟫
I think so, too, Sara, and thank you!💕
Beautiful!!
Thank you so much, Will!
Of course! I agree that mushrooms really are spectacular. I love macro shots like the beautiful ones in your article. Really lovely work - hope to see more :)
Thanks so much, Will! You might also enjoy this piece, about the sort of mushroom-adjacent Ghost Pipes :) https://sydneymichalski.substack.com/p/a-story-of-home