Charlie Fineran takes us on a different kind of colorful trip into the woods in this week’s Photo of the Week column.

Mushrooms, Toadstools & Fungi is not exactly a subject title that I would expect everyone to be instantly attracted to, HOWEVER, I would like to introduce you to some ideas, concepts and observations that may aid in making your photo journey more interesting, along with building in you a sense of appreciation for each subject’s beauty!  We are actually talking some beautiful COLORS!  AND, I am thinking, “Isn’t this up coming Autumn Season known for COLORS?” so we will use this Photo of the Week as an Introduction & Reminder!

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO OF THE WEEK

It is this past Saturday morning 7 a.m. and I am just checking my email before getting ready to load up my car and then head up to the Sussex County Fairgrounds where Peters Valley School of Craft is hosting its annual Peter’s Valley Craft Fair.  I will be going and setting up a table, representing the Friends of DWGNRA (Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area) in support for Peters Valley another partner of that vast and beautiful Park, who will be showing off all their various crafts.  ( NICE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME OPEN SPACE OUTREACH!!) 

While on my computer, I also check out my Facebook page and presentations by others.  One of those presentations was from my friend Jeremy Travers, who does a lot of kayaking and river walks along the Musconetcong River.  The very first photo on Jeremy’s post was a beautiful large orange fungi, which instantly caught my fancy AND began a mental process of connecting some dots!  THE DOTS – I am looking for a Photo of the Week topic!

I have a lot of albums showcasing the spectacular colors of Mushrooms – Toadstools & Fungi!!  We are getting into that Autumn Season showcasing Nature’s own COLORS!  Would this not be a very different, yet, I believe, an apropos opportunity, to approach the topic of a Fall Color Reminder, along with being an introduction for many about the beautiful colors of our Fungi Neighbors!

I’m ‘kinda’ liking this idea!  Let me check my index of Photo of the Week articles and I don’t believe this is a repeat!  Checked my index, the only fungus article I had, was a about the ‘Fungus Foray’ at Warren County’s White Lake and that topic was about a scientific expedition of volunteers doing a survey identifying various fungi of the site!  I am thinking, I just found my Photo of the Week article!

I am always reminding you, there are many pictures within a photo, usually referring to your large panoramas, which usually present many subjects under its vast umbrella.  Today, we are really cranking that theory down, WE ARE TALKING SMALL!  I actually have over the years presented several albums similar in concept on my Flickr Site, titles such as, Nature’s: It’s a Small World and Nature’s: Little Pockets of Beauty, a series I – II – III and IV, BUT, the subject matter was varied but small.  Actually, some of these subjects and photos I am presenting today had been included in those presentations.

COLORS, when we think of the woods, I am going out on a limb here, GREEN, many various shades, would be the color of thought?  Speaking generally, under the woods canopy you do not witness a lot of flowery colors always presenting themselves, although once in a while, there are small pockets of certain shrubs and wildflowers and that is it.  Today’s subjects are scattered throughout the woods!  Some of these photos were taken literally on a trail! Each offers its own vibrant color or shades of color.  Throughout this photo journey – Think Rainbow, those are the choices!  Bright colors, subdued hues and shiny are just some of the descriptions fitting these presentations.  Shapes, boy, do they have a variety of shapes!  I believe after your visit, you might have a greater appreciation for the beauty and diversity of this group. 

Before beginning your photo journey with the photos here and then those on my Flickr Site, I want to mention several names and titles to get your imaginations properly honed and sharpened, I believe that will accentuate your visual journeys through these small worlds!!  Here we go, (Honey I shrunk the kids – gnomes, hobbits, fairies etc. – Alice in Wonderland)

Links to my Flickr site – remember to also read the articles presented for each album!!

Nature’s Tiny Pockets of Beauty | Flickr

Nature’s Tiny Pockets of Beauty II | Flickr

Nature’s Tiny Pockets of Beauty III | Flickr

Nature’s Tiny Pockets of Beauty IV | Flickr

Nature’s ” Its a Small World ” | Flickr

Mushrooms, Toadstools & Fungii | Flickr

NOTE & REMINDER:  This Photo of the Week article is trying to cover two topics, serving as an introduction to our colorful Mushrooms – Toadstools & Fungi, along with also being an AUTUMN COLORS REMINDER!!!

Start planning those trips!!

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space, Chair, Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission