I thought I’d struck out on my morning forage when I came across these shaggy-stalked boletes (Aureoboletus betula). Very cool looking. And delicious. #FungiFriday #mushrooms #athensohio #fungi

Today’s eastern box turtles. Caught in the act. #turtles #turtlesofmastodon #turtlesallthewaydown #athensohio

After hearing my whining about a dearth of chanterelles, the mushroom gods smiled upon me this morning. I love finding these little gold nuggets on the forest floor … almost as much as I love eating them. #mushrooms #fungi #foraging #forest #athensohio

Today’s Eastern box turtle. Shy guy. #turtlesofmastodon #turtles #athensohio

The completely mis-named tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), an insanely invasive species that’s become the bane of my existence. I killed 30 trees last year using the hack-and-squirt method and am spending much of my forest walks this fall ripping up the shoots that appear everywhere. The moron next door logged last year, and the clear cut created a perfect tree of heaven habitat. #forests #invasivespecies #forest #athensohio

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) glistening after a late night rain. This three-pronger is starting to fruit. #forests #ginseng #athensohio

Black-staining polypore (Meripilus sumstinei), which bruises black and is supposedly edible if you find it early enough. I tried some of this one but it was too tough and chewy to be worthwhile. #FungiFriday #fungi #mushrooms #athensohio

Much-needed rain brought the eastern box turtles out in force this morning, including one who hissed at me when I got close and another munching on a mushroom. Four in a single hike! #turtlesofmastodon #turtles #athensohio

Today's eastern box turtle ... #TurtlesOfMastodon #Turtles #athensohio

After posting a photo of rattlesnake root today, I went for a hike and came across a downy rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera pubescens) that was blooming. It's one of the more common orchids in these parts. According to Wikipedia, the name is "because of the snake-like venation pattern that this genus has on the leaves." #forests #orchid #athensohio #orchids

Rattlesnake root, which according to Appalachian lore points in the direction of ginseng … #forest #forestfarming #athensohio

Black cohosh in full flail. #forest #forestfarming #botanicals #athensohio

Today’s eastern box turtle … #turtles #turtlesofmastodon #athensohio

Found this mushroom, some variety of bitter bolete, I think, popping up in the lawn this week. It’s been very dry this spring/summer and I haven’t been seeing many boletes. #FungiFriday #mushrooms #athensohio

Found a nice fruiting of scaly ink caps (Coprinopsis variegata) this week and watched them through the stages of their growth. This is an early photo, shot Wednesday. This morning the caps were turning inky … #FungiFriday #mushrooms #athensohio

Today’s eastern box turtle … #turtles #turtlesofmastodon #athensohio

It rained Monday after a dry spell, and the eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) were out in force. I found five during my two walks, which is a record for me. All seemed healthy and happy. Hope they had a good nesting season ... #TurtlesOfMastodon #Turtles #athensohio

My AKC Turtle Hound (Althea) finds another eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). She’s very polite and doesn’t bother them. Just sniffs a bit and moves on … #turtles #dogsofmastodon #athensohio #TurtlesOfMastodon

Possibly dog vomit slime mold (Fuligo septica). Ants were swarming over it when I first spotted it. Indent on the right is from my finger … #FungiFriday #dogsofmastodon #mushrooms #athensohio

During several weeks of drought I was finding nothing but a scattering of deer mushrooms. Then the rains came, and the summer oysters (Pleurotus pulmonarius) soon followed. I even managed to beat most of the bugs to them. They’ll be a nice reprieve from the store-bought buttons and bellas I’ve been getting by on. #FungiFriday #mushrooms #athensohio