Tryon Creek

We went exploring with friends at Tryon Creek State Park.  I have to say we were really knocked off our feet by the amazing mushrooms, which were everywhere!  On the ground, on logs, growing up the sides of trees... And they were beautiful.  While the spring has its heavenly bursts of wildflowers, the fall has its flowering fungi!  And no where are they more spectacular than Oregon, home to the world's largest living organism, a fungi which has spread underground to an area of about 3.7 square miles. Our friend explained that she was intrigued by some mushrooms in her yard, and wanted to know what kind they were.  While finding out what family they belonged to wasn't too difficult, she learned that there are dozens of similar species.  All have slender stalks and tops that are ridged, but their colors and ridges vary, the color of their spore prints vary, some have stalks that give off an inky liquid when picked, etc.  They are worth a closer look.

Ensatina.