Let the photo tell the story #1
- Setting: Shawangunk Mountains in New York
- Main Character: Conical Waxy Cap (Hygrocybe conica)
- Plot: a budding love for fungi & an inspiration to do more
Walk too fast and you might miss it
I’m kickstarting Friday’s Featured Foto of the Week with an opportunity to showcase my love for fungi. This keen find was spotted during a hike many years back. I remember seeing mushrooms everywhere this day, catching their soft hellos from beneath the leaves. My interest in mycology began around this time, after I spent a summer learning about the complex relationships between plants and the soil microbiome. Mycorrhizae became part of my daily vernacular, and I would scour the shelves of used bookshops for anything I could find relating to fungi. Since my interest was piqued, I began to see mushrooms everywhere I looked. Trees I had walked past countless times were suddenly adorned with Turkey Tails. I spotted clusters of Black Trumpets and Deer Mushrooms camouflaged in the leaf litter on every hike. I was experiencing the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon or the Frequency Illusion. The once inconspicuous world of fungi suddenly formed in my purview.
The hike that triggered a change
The other charming thing about this photo was that it was from a hike that transformed my perception of distance. The 2-hour drive to witness the stunning display of the Northeastern US fall foliage was the catalyst to kickstart more daring adventures. I realized how many more opportunities opened up before me if I just woke up earlier, packed more provisions, and stopped limiting myself to the 40-mile radius around my house. A 3- or 4-hour drive was no longer a deterrent. Day hikes turned into overnight camping trips, which morphed into backpacking expeditions. And it all began on this eventful trip to spy on some mushrooms and be dazzled by the autumn colors.
Calling all mycologists, foragers, and mycophiles!
I wish I could state with certainty the species of mushroom in the photo, but alas, a hobbyist mycophile has her limitations. My educated guess is that it is a Conical Waxy Cap (Hygrocybe conica), with emphasis on it being a guess. If you think you have a better idea for the identity of this mushroom, write it in the comments section! Even if you don’t have a clue about the species, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share some fun facts you know about fungi. Have you ever had a Baader-Meinhof or Frequency Illusion moment in your life? What was it? Whatever it may be, add it below. Until next time for another Friday’s Featured Foto of the Week.
Happy Trails!
