Sightings

•

There is a place on our property with a lot of downed wood that Rick and I suspected might harbor edible mushrooms. Yesterday we had two helpers haul the branches out of there. We showed them a Bellybutton Hedgehog and asked them to pick those that might get damaged or destroyed by their labors. There must have been a misunderstanding because they picked every Hedgehog, no matter how small! They also found Black Trumpets, Golden Chanterelles and a perfect Matsutake. Here's a picture of the haul.

When I pick Hedgehogs I bring a knife and clean as much of the dirt off right away so dirt doesn't get lodged in the "teeth." Oh well, the fellows were very proud of themselves and I couldn't help but thank them. But next year I'll be picking them myself as that's half the fun!

•

Suzie Chapler captured the last sun rays yesterday afternoon that ushered in the Winter Solstice. My thanks to Suzie, and her mom Gretchen, for allowing me to share her evocative photo here.

Today we celebrate the first full day of winter. Gray Whales continue to be seen. I saw a pod of five Gray's headed south from my home in Anchor Bay.

• 2 Comments

•

Cooper's Hawks, Accipiter cooperii, move into the Mendonoma Coast in the autumn and over-winter here. They are a little smaller than a Red-tailed Hawk and can be identified in the air by their flap-flap-glide motion. They are amazing, agile fliers. They hunt small birds. Sometimes one will show up near a bird feeder. That's the time to take down the bird feeder so the Cooper's Hawk isn't given a free lunch.

Hal Fogel recently photographed this immature Cooper's Hawk. If it were an adult it would be blue-gray on top instead of brown. Many thanks to Hal for allowing me to share his photo with you!

To hear the call of a Cooper's Hawk, here's a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Coopers_Hawk/sounds/ac

• 1 Comment

•

What a creative way to use Fly Amanitas! Here is what Carol Kozal did, in her own words. "As I was walking the other day I noticed there were several Fly Amanita mushrooms growing everywhere. In their varying degrees of growth they looked to me like Christmas ornaments. So, I thought why not pick some and make a wreath? After several attempts and a box of toothpicks later, I managed to make the wreath I had envisioned. I plan to make another one and display it at Studio 391 during the holidays."

Carol's husband, Paul Kozal, photographed this unique wreath. The Kozals have an art studio in Gualala. You can learn more at: http://www.studio391.net/ And to see more of Paul's photograph of wild mushrooms, click here: http://www.artofthemushroom.com/ Paul's photographs are wonderful to behold!

•

Hydnum umbilicatum is the Latin name for the Belly-button Hedgehog. It's considered a beginner's mushroom because it has no bad look-a-likes. Instead of gills, it has slender teeth. Lucky for us lovers of fungi, it doesn't bite!

 Rick and I enjoy these mushrooms with egg dishes. Delish!

 When I got close to the Hedgehog below to photograph it, I found the first Winter Chanterelles, Craterellus tubaeformis, growing next to it. Surprise!  This edible mushroom is also called Yellowfoot, Funnel Chanterelle and Winter Mushroom. These are babies and they will grow in the days to come.

Wild mushrooms are a treat from Mother Nature!