more fungus

Neil and I have been scouring the woods for new specimes from the fungi kingdom. Check out these specimes. The Lion's Mane (Hericeum) mushroom is amazing and looks like a mineral more than a mushroom. It has the texture of lobster, a smooth creamy taste and is basicaly the coolest looking thing i have ever seen -- plus it has anti-tumor properties. Dead beech trees are usually the host for the mycyllium.

Lion's Mane -- a toothed mushroom.




















Neil and a Hericeum cluster on a beech.





















A red belted polypore with a little fresh rain. This polypore grows on dead spruce and hemlock trees, of which there are plenty to be had here in the Northern decidous/conifer forest.

















We have also found some Chagga, a weird sclerotia that looks burned. You might think you have just found a burl on a birch that has been charred, but then, there it is, a mushroom. you have to knock it off the tree with a rock or bat or something. The tea tastes like a maple syrup coffee like beverage. Delicious!


Lots of river outtings to be had here -- the weather until today has been delightful and warm and the rivers feel perfect for wading and mini dips. The rain has started today though and as the second to last day of summer, Fall is encrouching on Tamworth.






















Jewelweed -- the lone savior of poison ivy sufferers everywhere and the plant that saved our relationship during "the year of the rash."