Mushrooms, A Variety

Mushrooms were plentiful as I visited various areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Growing on trees . . .

Growing along the trail . . .

More mushrooms on the tree stumps . . .

Psychedelic yellow mushrooms . . .

Mushrooms growing on moss covered downed tree . . .

All of these varieties of mushrooms were found along the trails I hiked and were plentiful in variation and the number of areas I discovered them in. I hiked Porter's Creek Trail in the Greenbrier Section, along the Little Pigeon River, Cade's Cove in the most southern area of the park and the Baskins Creek Trail along the Roaring Fork Nature Trail. I found the most moisture clinging to the trees and plants along the Roaring Fork Nature Trail, as I expected. Have a wonderful weekend everyone. It's sunny, in the 80's and hopefully the humidity will stay at bay here in Kentucky. ENJOY!

Mushrooms

These beautiful mushrooms are growing in the crevice of a huge maple tree situated right inside the main walkway to the Pavilion in the Arboretum area at Bernheim. I featured a photo in a post last Spring of the mushrooms from the front side, but decided to walk around to the back side of the tree to see if any mushrooms were growing there, only to make this discovery. The detail on the mushroom caps is fascinating to me. Only Mother Nature could paint such a perfect looking canvas. The vertical lines are perfection. ENJOY!

'Rooms & 'Stools!

Is it any wonder we have toadstools and mushrooms abound with all of the moist rainy days in the past few weeks. We've had rain every day for over a week and not just sprinkles but major storms. These 'rooms and 'stools are thriving at Bernheim. Hope you're having a wonderful week. ENJOY!

Mushrooms A Plenty!

I posted this previously but wanted you guys to see a close up of these very cool looking mushrooms growing in an indentation of this tree in Bernheim. I have tried to figure out from various mushroom websites what they are called but to no avail. Anybody know, please clue me in. Enjoy!

Mushroom, GSMNP

When we hike, we oftentimes don't stop and take the time to look down at what's on the forest floor. I oftentimes stop and take a look at what's on the forest floor because without it the forest would not be nearly as interesting were it not for the moss, the leaves, the dead tree trunks, the insects, the wildflowers, and yes, even the mushrooms. So the next time you're out hiking, stop and look down, look all around. You'll see things you wouldn't have seen had you not. Is that what they call hiker's wisdom? Enjoy!

Along the Roaring Fork Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of my favorite parks, not just because it is a few hours from my home, but because it is diverse in so many ways. From Cade's Cove and its beautiful valley to Newfound Gap and Clingman's Dome high up on the mountains to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail winding in and around the various forests.

The first photo is the stream running alongside the road on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The road is very, very narrow with only one lane, one way. It is so narrow at times it feels like you're actually walking through the woods and not driving as the trees and moss and overhanging plants and flowers are right on top of you as you drive by. I got out of my car many times just to look at all of the wildflowers and mushrooms along the road. You will miss a great deal if you don't venture out. The sound of the creek and the birds and insects chirping filled my car as I drove with all the windows down to take in the sounds and the cool breeze. I'll post some more pics of my trip in a day or two. I hope you enjoy!

And if you're following me close enough, I didn't use my Pentax camera this trip. I stuck to the digital. Not sure if I'm happy about that or not.