This afternoon, I was out foraging in the forest looking for mushrooms. If this isn't a sign that I've become a little too "Salt Spring", I don't know what is.
I needed a break from some work stuff I was doing at home and I hadn't been to Duck Creek park for a long time. A reunion seemed long overdue. It was time for some reflection(s).
I noticed that there seemed to be a lot of "destruction", natural, with trees down from last winter.
I like to think of Duck Creek as a fantastic Salt Spring secret. You wouldn't know such a place existed if you didn't get off the main grass and onto the trails that are hidden off to the side. And, that's where I started to notice mushrooms dotting the forest floor and suddenly I felt like I was on a mushroom scavenger hunt. Only problem? I know squat about mushrooms.
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| I like the way the water drops make this one seem extra special. |
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| Could this be a Chanterelle? I don't think it is. The underside is not veined in the way of a Chanterelle. |
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| And I wonder what this little orange umbrella-top is? | |
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| On my way out of the park, I noticed this black one. It could be a Hawk's Wing but the stem is different. | | | | | | |
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And, therein lies the problem with mushroom identification. Looks are deceiving. It might actually be a fungus, not a mushroom.
If you live in Vancouver and want to find out more about Mushrooms, I noticed that the Vancouver Mycological society is having a
Mushroom day on October 24th at Van Dusen Gardens. And if you're in Victoria, there's the
South Vancouver Island Mycological Society.
As for on island, I'm not sure. If I put it on
"the List", I undoubtedly could find out. But, maybe I'll just start at the library.
