The Camera In My Pocket 2023/24

New York State has these structures sprinkled about the woods on state land. People usually leave canned food and firewood for those that come after them. I recall in my youth spending a night in one of these in a meadow on the side or Whiteface mountain, what a fantastic view! We call them a lean-to and there is usually a fire pit and picnic table nearby.

 

At this time of year the fungi are in full bloom. I came across this one for the first time and have no clue as to what it is. It looks delicious, but one bite would probably be fatal. I envy those that can identify and collect these little morsels.

 

Golden Oyster Mushroom maybe ?

 

I do not believe that Golden Oysters are native to North America. I am inclined to think it is a Hygrocybe flavescens that some critter nibbled around the edges of the cap. The jagged cap threw me off but it really appears to be a Hygrocybe of some sort that got nibbled.

 

It was just a guess - you're probably right,
but acording to this page they are found in New York
It's the middle of the night here

Pleurotus citrinopileatus - Wikipedia

 

Oh, I see now they are found in NY but the stem appears too thick and the Golden Oysters grow in clusters. Anyway, I found a site that uses AI to identify them if you are interested. I was hoping someday someone would try to do this. There are just too many fungi for me to identify without help. You must be a night owl.

FungusID | AI-powered Wild Mushroom Identifier

 

Thank you, that could be handy. I find fungi dificult to identify.

I suffer with insomnia and am often awake for hours in the night.

 

Definitely not a golden oyster, cap and stipe all wrong

I pick a lot of mushrooms, although I'm not too adventurous when it comes to eating them, I stick to the easily identifiable choice ones. Strange how it isn't much of a cultural thing in the UK compared to other European countries, we have a great climate for them. All the more for me though so I can't complain

 

Autumn is beginning to show its colours in New York, however, I am not looking forward to winter.

 

I am fairly certain this is a Cantharellus cinnabarinus, which is native to North America and is said to be edible. There is a video on youtube of a man picking them and he said they are delicious, however, I will take his word for it.

I found this:
"Cinnabar chanterelles / red chanterelles, Cantharellus cinnabarinus and Cantharellus texenesis, are often overlooked members of the Chanterelle family. Though smaller and slightly less delectable than their larger, more famous cousins, cinnabar chants are certainly edible, and quite delicious in their own way."

What I fail to understand is that most of the mushrooms I find have some portion of the cap apparently eaten by some critter. How in the world do they know which ones are edible and will not kill them? I am sure they do not carry tiny field guides around with them. Nature never ceases to amaze me.

 

This one was easy, Dead Man's Fingers.

It’s easy to see why the fungus Xylaria polymorpha might spook someone. It’s often evocative of dingy human digits reaching out from unknown depths beneath the forest floor, earning it the nickname “dead man’s fingers.” It sometimes grows as a single stem, but more frequently, two to five branches appear clustered together. Each “finger” can grow up to eight centimeters tall, though they’re usually stubbier, says Tom Volk, a biology professor who teaches mycology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

 

An area called 'The Sound' looking across to the 'Calf of Man' at the southern end of the Isle of Man. The Calf is home to a wild bird sanctuary.



Seals at the Calf of Man




The Isle of Man is a small island located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. The Isle of Man is a self-governing Crown dependency, meaning that it is not part of the United Kingdom, but is still under the protection of the British Crown. The Isle of Man is known for its unique three-legged flag, which has become a symbol of the island’s independence and autonomy. Many people wonder why the Isle of Man has a flag with three legs, and the answer lies in the island’s history and culture. The three legs of the flag are believed to be a representation of the tripartite division of the island into the North, South, and Middle. This division was historically important, as the island was divided into three different sections, each of which had its own local government.
Furthermore, the three legs are said to represent the island’s triskelion, which is a symbol of the island’s Celtic heritage and dates back to the 12th century. The three legs of the flag also symbolize Manannan, the Celtic god of the sea, who is believed to have protected the island. The Isle of Man flag is a symbol of the island’s independence, autonomy, and rich history, and the three legs are a reminder of the island’s unique culture and heritage.



Castle Rushen in Castletown built in the 10th century.


The clock was presented by Queen Elizabeth I in 1597 and is still functioning.


Overlooking the outer harbour.




Looking out from the sea wall.

 

That was very interesting @Sheal

 

Thank you @Michael Hewett, I'm glad you liked it.