Sunday, September 6, 2009

Invader 'Shrooms!



We've had more rain around here lately. Now something weird and magical has happened....we've been invaded by shrooms! Mushrooms are all over the yard... In the sunny areas of the yard, in the shady, mossy areas, in the woods...everywhere!!! It's really interesting to stoop down & get a good look at these invaders. They come in all colors - red, orange, yellow, pancake-tan, woodsy brown, each has a unique, almost other-worldly appearance. Some look like wee little fairy umbrellas. Others look like huge creepy yard-tumors! And Ma & Pops have a 'fairy ring' in their woods...an entire ring of mushrooms. Which according to legend or folklore is the location of gateways into elfin kingdoms, or were the path made by fairies dancing in a ring. The \fairy rings were where fairies came to dance and celebrate, the mushrooms of the rings were used as stools for the fairies to recuperate during the evenings festivities. One European legend tells of the origin of these rings as being burned into the soil by a sleeping dragon's tail. It is also said that if you sit in a fairy ring at night you will fall under a spell and fall asleep until dawn and then fairies will never return. I'm not too sure mushrooms have all that 'power', but they are cool looking!





















And if it IS an invasion...then THIS must be their Leader!
(It's a really cool looking Caterpillar Blake found.)

But despite all their differences, deep inside they are just happy little 'shroom-guys from deep under the earth...also known as some really fungi's!

2 comments:

Contrary Wife said...

Hi Donna!

Great pics. of the shrooms! I've always been fascinated by them, thanks for sharing. And interesting fairy history, too!

What is the high school band's repertoire this year? I was thinking of you on Friday night as we were listening to American Woman from our band. Unfortunately, I can't remember the other songs. At least it wasn't Mr. Roboto! :-)

Take care,
Donna

Naomi Haverland said...

Some shrooms do have powers.... if you eat them. Not that I would know.
Awesome pictures!!