My first large fungus photo shoot was in August 2017, with my parents and brother, when we went for a walk along Texas Falls in Hancock,VT. None of us had ever been there before and we were ready to explore.

I knew fungi grew in forested areas, because I was used to avoiding them on previous hikes and walks, but I definitely was not expecting the abundance I was met with that day. I began taking photos before we even got to the trailhead and didn't stop until we were back in the car.

It was slightly overwhelming spotting a new fungus every few steps. My family was pointing out all of the fungi they spotted too. There was an unbelievable amount of fungi growing in the forest that day. It really sparked my interest in learning more and to continue taking photos.Fungi often grow in crevices, shaded spots, and low to the ground which make capturing their image very challenging, but I enjoyed trying to demonstrate the size, shape, and unique growing location of each fungus. After a few minutes, I settled down and only took photos of the most interesting fungi which still amounted to a lot of photos! I hope to continue improving my photographing abilities.

Below is a selection of photos from that walk:

A group of small, whitish spherical fungi

A dark fungus on some shed paper birch bark

A birghtly colored bush looking fungus

One of the most classic looking mushrooms I've seen

Some very small, dark fungi

Two very different looking fungi

Greenish "flakes" growing along a fallen tree

Looks like fire

Noses on the tree

A late stage 'guy?

Look at those gills!

Great group of guys

A mushroom with holes (from releasing spores?)

Another interesting shape

I don't think this jelly is for toast

Looks like lava

My attempt at using the macrolens

A couple of inverted tops

A little parasol

Such an amazing color

Dragon scales?

I like the spikey fungi

This tree is getting doinated by fungi

Very textured bottom

A fungus bringing some sunshine to the forest floor