Taking advantage of a fall traveling opportunity, husband Bill and I ventured into eastern Tennessee. In addition to being excited to see family, I was also hoping to take in some spectacular fall foliage. I wasn’t disappointed by the family visit, but we might’ve been a smidge early to fully enjoy the foliage fantasy. Maybe, we’ll be able to catch at least part of it on our return home. In the meantime, it’s still beautiful country, the weather is warm, and there are plenty of hiking trails to enjoy. So today, I set out on a short nature walk.
Now you might think that in order for something to shine, the sun must be out. And that does help. But even on a cloudy day like today, “shiny things” can abound. And I found plenty of them on my hike today in the form of... mushrooms!
I love mushrooms—not to eat, but to observe. I think part of my fascination with them comes from those whimsical, fairy-like illustrations in children’s books. But those that appear in nature are no less endearing. There’s just something magical about funny little fungi that pop up in unusual places and come in myriad shapes, sizes, and colors.
So with the first sighting of mushrooms on my hike today, I knew I wasn’t going to miss the glowing reds and golds of autumn. I could catch those later. Mushrooms would more than suffice as my shiny things. And to prove my point, here are a few photos. I hope you find these woodland treasures as fascinating as I did!
This one shyly peeked from beneath a pile
of leaves, while others boldly displayed
their showy shapes ...
impressive sizes...
and vibrant colors!
Wishing You a Fall Full of Shiny Things!
