Tag Archives: Fly Amanita

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Fly Amanitas, Amanita muscaria, usually fruit in December or perhaps January. But Ron Champoux found one sitting as pretty as you please on March 24th. As an experienced mushroom forager once said, "That's why wild mushrooms are called wild!"

Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see an Amanita muscaria holiday wreath, here's the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/12/20/a-beautiful-fly-amanita-wreath-created-by-carol-kozal/ and to see a Fly Amanita shaped like a flying saucer, here is that link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/01/15/fly-amanita-that-looks-like-a-flying-saucer/

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Sometimes Mother Nature like to play tricks. Mirka Knaster found this Fly Amanita, Amanita muscaria, with another one growing out its top. It looks like a wild mushroom flying saucer!

Thanks to Mirka for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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What a creative way to use Fly Amanitas! Here is what Carol Kozal did, in her own words. "As I was walking the other day I noticed there were several Fly Amanita mushrooms growing everywhere. In their varying degrees of growth they looked to me like Christmas ornaments. So, I thought why not pick some and make a wreath? After several attempts and a box of toothpicks later, I managed to make the wreath I had envisioned. I plan to make another one and display it at Studio 391 during the holidays."

Carol's husband, Paul Kozal, photographed this unique wreath. The Kozals have an art studio in Gualala. You can learn more at: http://www.studio391.net/ And to see more of Paul's photograph of wild mushrooms, click here: http://www.artofthemushroom.com/ Paul's photographs are wonderful to behold!

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Pig's Ears, or Gomphus clavatus, grow on our property under Douglas-firs, Tanoaks and Redwoods. They are usually on a steep hillside, causing us to just note their presence. They are edible but not choice and some people have trouble digesting them. As with any new food, you should only try a little bit the first time. Some people, poor things, are allergic to chocolate!

 And here is a Fly Amanita, Amanita muscaria. It is just emerging from a bank along side our road. This toadstool is usually a brighter red. Perhaps our cold, mostly dry weather has made the color a little pale. It is a hallucinogenic mushroom and was thought to be poisonous. However, people in various parts of the world eat this mushroom. According to mushroom expert, David Arora, if you boil it twice the hallucinogens will be removed and it will be safe to eat. It is a fascinating mushroom just to observe, as it changes shape dramatically as it ages.

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A small storm moved in overnight, leaving us with beautiful rainbows Thursday morning. These rainbows appeared just north of Fish Rocks, near Anchor Bay. I took these photos from our deck.

You can just see the moon at the top of this photo. I thought this was a rather unique-looking rainbow.

 I had to take two pictures to get this big arching rainbow.

What a lovely sight to wake up to!

Tomorrow I will show you photos of two mushrooms that just bloomed on our property - Fly Amanita and Pig's Ears, Gomphus clavatus.