When asked to list things that live in the forest, the lowly fungus seldom makes anyone's top ten. Ironically, only the great coral reefs can compare to the beauty and diversity of the fungi and lichen that dwell in an Oregon forest ecosystem.
The record for a single lap around the Riverpass Loop is just under two minutes, achievable only through a full sprint. Yet, it's only when you take it easy, that you will earn a reward.
This first picture, and the last picture on this page are of the same little mushroom, if the photographer was walking at any sort of pace, this mushroom, as well as most of the pictures on this page would not have been taken.
How big is the mushroom shown here?
Take your time and enjoy these untouched photos.
All photos were taken by Mario Ibarra.
From bright to dull and every where in between, the full color spectrum is proof of the diversity of the fungi kingdom that our guests can see for themselves. In the PNW (Pacific Northwest), the best time is always after a good rain.
The colors can be vividly surprising, and the shapes are not always what you might expect either, like the 'birds nest' fungus, equipped with 'eggs' that leave the nest when a well placed rain drop hits.
Unless you are a fungi aficionado, you might not recognize the center pic below to be anything special. However, the Oregon White Truffle is very sought after, this is one of several, accidentally found during projects at Riverpass Retreat.
Whether on a living trees bark, or in a dead trees core, on the dirt or under it, fungi make the art of decomposition look good. So take a minute, look a little closer, and see how high resolution life is.
Some of the mushrooms that grow right out of the trail are tall enough to get a 'bugs eye view' of the sun shining through the gills from the underside. These mushrooms are big and easy to see.
Every avid outdoorsman carries a knife and lighter at all times, if only to provide scale in pictures.
As stated, the first picture on this page and the final picture below are of the same little mushroom.
Here finally, is the little mushroom from the first picture.
All photos are property of Mario Ibarra. Use without permission is prohibited.
コメント