Moose Tracks in the Mud

While walking around the lake in search of good foliage shots, I decided to go out the trail in search of red capped mushrooms. I had seen them some place while walking (without my camera) and thought for sure it was out this way.

Trail & Trail Marker
Trail & Trail Marker

The trail is cleared for snowmobiles in the winter and that is how I found it last year. The snow was all packed down by the snowmobiles so it was easy to follow. But it’s a nice walk in other seasons too except that it can be swampy in places.

Moose Track (on right)
Moose Track (on right)

When I came back to the road, I was still looking – unsuccessfully – for the red mushrooms and happened to see a large imprint in the mud. People throw their trash all over (don’t understand that) and there was an old oil – or something- container next to the track. It might help to show how big it was.

Moose Print Close-up
Moose Print Close-up

As I looked further, I could see at least 2 more prints and they were widely spaced.

Three tracks - Long stride!
Three tracks - Long stride!

I don’t know what else could have made this huge track so I am assuming it was a moose. And as I was leaving the area I could hear something make a splash over in the water – out of my view. I ran to the bridge in hopes of seeing my first moose…but no such luck. Tracks are all I get – today.

Again I thought, as I so often do while walking…WHY ARE PEOPLE SUCH PIGS? – throw your trash away at home!

New England Autumn

The very best time of year (in my opinion) is here…it comes along so quickly and each good day must be cherished because the frigid temperatures are on the way.  I do like the snow, but all color fades for the winter so this is our burst – the foliage – to hold us over till next Spring.

“You make the road rise up to meet me, you make the sun shine warm upon my face, the wind is at my back” …Rebecca St. James

New England foliage season
New England foliage season

The Mushrooms are Blooming

Lately there are numerous mushrooms in the yard and in the woods.   Today is sunny and cool and too gorgeous to be inside working…so I took a break and took the camera out to get some mushroom pictures.

I have tried to identify these by using my Field Guide to New England, but I am not an expert by any means so if I have named something incorrectly I’d appreciate the heads up.

My Field Guide
My Field Guide

According to the field guide, there are at least 10 deadly poisonous species of mushroom in New England. I sure didn’t know that. In fact I never knew the name of any mushrooms until today. Like my seashell collection, I like them… but never really cared what they were called.

Fly Amanita *Deadly Poisonous
Fly Amanita *Deadly Poisonous

This yellow/orange mushroom is the Fly Amanita and I think the little one (below) is a “baby” since it was growing in the same area as the others, but I am not sure.

Tiny Mushroom - "Fly Amanita"?
Tiny Mushroom - "Fly Amanita"?

The red one below is also poisonous, but doesn’t say “deadly poisonous” like the one pictured above.

Emetic Russula *Poisonous
Emetic Russula *Poisonous

You can read more about the Emetic Russula mushroom on the site link, but I find it interesting that the site doesn’t mention that this one is poisonous.