CreatorWorship

Before two weekends ago I had not seen any of my brothers for a year and a half, some for much longer. We had a cookout at my youngest brother’s house with spouses and a few children and grandchildren. During the conversation we planned a hike for Friday to the Purchase Knob area of the Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the location of the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center. The hike we took went along the border of “The Swag”, a Bed and Breakfast that allows hikers to visit their viewing lawn. The weather has been moist for a month and the fungi are out. With more time and patience I could have gotten some really good pictures of the abundant and colorful fruiting bodies of diverse mycelia. One of my sister-in-laws is known for her love and identification of wildflowers. She said she wants to know fungi better. Here’s a place to start.

Cep or Penny Bun?

Lush creek side

Green Cracking Russula (Russula virescens)

Students coming down from the Learning Center

Bee Balm soothing a Pipevine Swallowtail

Winesaps?

Furguson Cabin

Black Earth Tongue

Doll’s-Eye or White Baneberry

Yellow Wart (Amanita flavoconia)

“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors”?

Orange Peel Cup Mushroom

White Coral Fungus

Earth Cup Mushroom?

Catch some rays and relax

Maggie Valley

Nice smiles! OK, I was trying to make sure the camera was working.

Great Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum)

Insulation, flight, camouflage, mating, ….versatile… not by chance!

Coral Fungus

Chanterelles?

So many colorful varieties

Death Angel

Taking in The Swag view

The Real Purchase Knob

Hiding under a rock on top of the knob

Do you see the fairy ring that I found near the top of Purchase Knob?

Elegant Stinkhorn

The variety and beauty of God’s creation! I could go out every weekend and never get tired of learning and looking.