Yesterday, I took advantage of the first clear, blue sky day we have seen in my area for the last several weeks to take a walk through my favorite mushroom-hunting forest. After a week of rainy, humid weather, the forest fungi are taking full advantage of the moist soils and perfect fruiting conditions. I encountered a wide variety of fungi while on my walk as well as an unexpected run-in with a Midland painted turtle as he/she made their way along the forest floor.
About half-way through my hike, I also came across a small stand of black cherry trees (Prunus serotina) that all appeared to be under extreme stress. The amount of sap that these trees were expelling was so extreme that it was creating mounds of semi-fluid sap at the trees' bases. I'm assuming that they have been infected with some form of bacterial, fungal, or boring pest species, but I am unsure.
Stressed Black Cherry Trees:
A lone harvestman stuck in the sap:
Below is a selection of the animal, plant, and fungal species I came across while hiking. I've done my best to offer identifications, but I was only able to identify some fungi to the Family of Genus level. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!
ANIMALS:
Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta ssp. marginata):
Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus):
PLANTS:
Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata):
Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus):
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense):
FUNGI:
Grisette (Amanita vaginata):
Snakeskin Grisette (Amanita ceciliae):
Tricholoma equestre:
Ruby Bolete (Hortiboletus rubellus):
Red-mouth Bolete (Boletus subvelutipes):
Bolete (Family Boletaceae):
Collared Parachute (Marasmius rotula):
Flat Crep (Crepidotus applanatus):
Trametes ochracea:
Blackfoot Polypore (Cerioporus leptocephalus):
Brittlegills (Genus Russula):
Brittlegills (Genus Russula):
After leaving the woods, I found this large fruiting of Agarics fruiting from the woodchips alongside the road near my home. Sometimes the best finds require the least searching!
Field and Button Mushrooms (Genus Agaricus):
Thank you for walking with me.
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