A Dark Night

warnings

in the night

discrete messages

from those that cannot get through

marked with an X

to let me know

that people

worry

M, look delightful

poisonous intent on the tongue

beware the young

Paint It Red

Have I ever mentioned
that my favourite colour is red?

Yup, it catches my eye enough
to always turn my head.















Whether it be
mushrooms bright upon a tree

Or a dragonfly's gaze
staring back at me












When I feel the wind whistling by
I know fairy brushes are hanging to dry
in the forest glen on this warm day
as they've been busy painting my world so gay

Christmas Wish List #1 - Mushroom Field Guide for Ontario

While apple picking 

 we again spied mushroom glens;

A fairy ring found?

My girls just seem to stumble upon mushrooms this year and are fascinated by them.

me too : )

On the Xmas wish list;

1. Mushroom Identification Guide

Mushroom Hunt

 a quick peek in trees

reveals mushrooms aplenty 

but edible fare?

Fungus Find

"Oh Mom! What is that across the street?" 

yelled over her shoulder

as she runs to the curb. 

She knows not to cross the road without permission.

With a glance out the window

 I recognize that I need a glance out the door

to get closer

 to the mysterious find of hers

"I believe it is a fungus;

from the mushroom family,

but with a closer inspection

we will certainly more see."

Crossing over to inspect

Through camera lens and her eyes

I am drawn back to nature

with wonder at the form and mystery of life.

~~~

I really am constantly bowled over by the view 

of the world through my daughters eyes. 

Just breath-taking and beautiful.

Thank you doesn't do justice to what they offer me.

Going on a Mushroom Hunt

Bulbous, round

Yellow, Brown

Poison or Edible?

No clues to be found.

Grown up overnight;

Thy wee toadstool

with pensive stalk

doth flared in day's light.

At home on dappled forest floor.

Pine needles and leaves

rampant company until

siblings join for more.

My daughter's find

with pure delight. Noted growth 

and heeded care with tent

 placement we remind.

Nature,nurture

respect and awe

my bio-friendly child; Joy!

My love found in your rapture.

/\/\/\/\/\

My daughter found this little mushroom and we watched it grow seemingly overnight. It started small and thin, then flared almost before our eyes. She begged to borrow my camera to photograph it. How not to resist such guileless charms? I am glad I acquiesced though. As the days passed, she noted that another mushroom was sprouting beside its brother. She was enchanted with the beginning of this faery ring and we made a point to erect a newly bought and larger tent  at a safe distance to these magical fungi. I cherish her respect for nature and truly make all attempts to inspire it. I did a little searching and think that I can identify this species;

   Amanita muscaria^* -- This is a beautiful, bright yellow mushroom with white spots or patches on its cap and a ring and bulbous base.

P.S. If I am correct, this beautiful little treasure is poisonous. I will have to advise my daughter of this, as she is always keen to know what is edible in the natural world  around her. As I tell her though, please always check before eating anything of questionable lineage. 

Happy Mushroom hunting!