The early rains continue as yet another storm hits the Mendonoma Coast. But a storm's aftermath gives us a chance for rainbows out on the Pacific Ocean. Carolyn André recently photographed one at The Sea Ranch and has kindly allowed me to share it with you here.
Wild mushrooms should be making an early appearance this year!
It's unusual for the Mendonoma Coast to be hit by winter-like storms in early October but that is what is happening. Yesterday we got nearly two inches of rain at our home in Anchor Bay. Another even bigger storm is due in tonight. Batten down the hatches! But this morning's sunrise was lovely.
Several friends have told me they have found Chanterelles, Cantharellus cibarius, in the past couple of days. This morning, in our forest, Rick and I saw golden Chanterelles just appearing. Notice the Banana Slug approaching them too.
Chanterelles are among the most delicious of the coast's wild mushrooms. Thank you, Mother Nature!
Ken Holmes recently found a beautiful wild mushroom, the edible Agaricus augustus, also known as The Prince. It grows in humus rich soils. Oddly enough it often appears at edges of roads. The mushroom has a strong almond odor and it is good to eat. I also admire it for its beauty.
Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photo with you. Here's a link to another photo of this mushroom on this blog: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/06/11/royalty-has-arrived-on-the-mendonoma-coast-the-prince-agaricus-augustus-a-delicious-mushroom/
On August 18th I posted several pictures of this mushroom, a Dyer's Polypore - Phaeolus schweinitzii - one taken on the first morning it appeared. It continues to grow and to evolve. Here are several photos I took yesterday afternoon. It is growing into a true beauty!
Here's a link to my first posting of this sighting where you can learn more about this mushroom:
http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/08/18/a-young-dyers-polypore-mushroom-appeared-as-if-by-magic-overnight-at-our-property-in-anchor-bay/
Rick and I walk every day, in fact twice a day, as demanded by our Golden Retriever, Huckleberry. On a path that leads to the forest floor a Dyer's Polypore, Phaeolus schweinitzii, appeared overnight. We were amazed! What life force mushrooms have to grow so fast.
This mushroom isn't good to eat but it has so much pigment that people use it to dye fabric. Depending on the age of the Polypore the color is yellow, gold, brown or orange. It has a part to play in nature as it breaks down dead wood into nutrients. There are several dead trees - snags - where this mushroom grows.
The first picture is the first day it appeared. The second is four days later.
