How Little I Know

You will hear no hesitations from me to admit that what I know about the outdoors pales compared to what there is to know. For example, today, during a walk in the woods, the bright colors of this fungi caught my eye from quite far away. My route was altered so I could determine what bright thing I was seeing in an otherwise drab timber. Imagine my surprise to find these “Witches’ Butter (Golden Jelly)” fungi in all of their glory in 10-degree temperatures. When I returned home I learned this fungi species does “bloom” during cold weather months and the winter temperatures can preserve the fungi. Also learned was that this fungi, if correctly identified, can be safely eaten (I won’t be trying). Tomorrow I am going to try to find this again for more study. (I wonder if it glows in the dark?)

Finding and learning about this fungus species reinforces my belief that I know very little about the outdoors. My ignorance makes every day an adventure.

Along the river my buddy, the red-shouldered hawk, was keeping an eye open for a meal.