October has brought about the retraction of chlorophyll exposing the vibrant hues of mahogany and golds. We have been spending our late afternoons and weekends hiking and bicycling throughout the Willamette Valley. From the carpet of fallen leaves springs forth a myriad of mushrooms. We are young mycophiles in search of choice mushrooms, namely: chanterelles, morells, lobster and boletus. On the roadside cascade trail flanking the Santiam River we walk intuitively, eyes affixed to the ground, hands clutching brown paper bags. We are soon bestowed with a wealth of edible fungus. Are hike meanders through tall red alders, fantastic ferns and dominating Douglas firs. Scattered throughout the forest are forgotten picnic sites, hidden behind fallen trees and buried beneath moss. At trail's end the forest gives way to a rolling monoliths of stone plunging into the cool clear water of the river. We picnic and pose for photographs before heading back.
It's...... Autumn Love
A fine collection of mushrooms
Back home we make spore prints and sip wine while identifying the different species. Later a fine pasta meal toped with a sauce full of mushrooms....UM-UM!Oh yes, have a happy Halloween!
1 comment:
What fun... you are home and enjoying the beautiful Oregon Autumn. Mushroom hunting is something new for me to learn about...always be very very careful to only eat the safe ones..they are truly all so beautiful! Your photos are really interesting and so much fun to imagine all of the special things you are making and doing. Great to have you home back in the USA...Love always MOM CAT
Post a Comment