Field Notes: What’s in the Woods Today? Nov. 14, 2017

November 14, 2017 12:57 pm

by Area Forester Lisa Deaton

Mushrooms!

When you work in the woods every day, it can be joyful to see something new.  After the rain last week, quite a variety of mushrooms sprouted.  The most unusual one I saw was hairy on top.hairy mushroom

These mushrooms were so tiny I almost missed them.tiny mushrooms

This mushroom is keeping company with a small army of lichens, and perhaps fungi, on the decaying log behind it.lichen log

This mushroom has an interesting sombrero shape, and is covered with ashes from a recent forest fire.mushroom at fire

One time I cleared a trail in New Kent County with a leaf blower, leaving the mineral soil exposed.  It rained soon after that, and I walked the trail with some teachers a few days later.  At least 20 different kinds of mushrooms had sprouted in the trail.mushrooms from Squirrel Trail


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