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Red Russula. Photo by Justin Ciccone Red Russula Justin Ciccone This beautiful Russula was photographed by Justin Ciccone during a nice rainy hike at Nisene Marks park on November 19, 2014. Happy Holidays! Camera Nikon D90 Focal L. 35mm Aperture f/7.1 Shutter Sp. 1/200s ISO 125 Flash Fired Photo taken on November 19, 2014 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

Mushroom flower. Stalked polypore. Photo by Alex Russakovsky Mushroom Flower Alex Russakovsky On a yearly trip to the Mendonoma coast that we always dedicate to the memory of Ryane Snow . Spent some days under pouring rain hunting for edibles, however not much to report. About 200 chanterelles (3 different varieties), 15 matsutake, 20 honeys, a couple of pigs' ears. Camera (Not provided) Focal L. Aperture Shutter Sp. ISO Flash Photo taken on December 7, 2019 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

News & Stories / Starting to Think About Rain Those who ventured into the Sierras in the late spring were fortunate to find a good harvest of morels, if they were in the right place for that brief, shining moment. Boletes were more abundant as the weather warmed, fruiting well into summer in many areas. Deb • September 1, 2007 Morchella. © Douglas Smith (from mushroomobserver.org) Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts September Seasons and October Rains 2013 Sierra Scouting Report Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

Amanita muscaria on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Photo by Ron Bader Amanita muscaria Ron Bader I took this photo in Sterling Alaska while on the FFSC Alaska Long Distance Foray at Bill White's Alaska Sports lodge on Sept. 1, 2017. Camera Apple iPhone 4 Focal L. 4mm Aperture f/2.8 Shutter Sp. 1/100s ISO 80 Flash Off Photo taken on September 1, 2017 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder--Plato. Photo by Mike Slavers Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder - Plato Mike Slavers "Remember how in that communion only, beholding beauty with the eye of the mind , he will be enabled to bring forth, not images of beauty, but realities (for he has hold not of an image but of a reality), and bringing forth and nourishing true virtue to become the friend of God and be immortal, if mortal man may." - Plato I have been photographing mushrooms in the Corte Madera Park hiking area for two years. This is photo is the first I saw and started my fascination with the life form. The park is on Skyline Drive about half way between Hwy 92 and Woodside Road. All of the mushrooms I have photographed, I have left them as they were when I found them. Camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel Focal L. 73mm Aperture f/5.6 Shutter Sp. 1/200s ISO 100 Flash Fired Photo taken on January 1, 2014 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

News & Stories / Stewardship Jackson Demonstration State Forest Permit Changes Rules for mushroom gathering at Jackson Demonstration State Forest have recently changed. Deb • August 18, 2014 Bolete with Newt. Photo by Yevgeny Nyden Due to massive abuse of the system the JDSF no longer issues free personal collection permits. The only permits now issued are commercial permits. The good news is that the permits are $20 per year with no weight limit. The not-so-good news is that the permit must be applied for in person and the office is now open Monday–Friday. If you're planning to go to Mendocino this year, we suggest getting a permit ahead of time —it's good through 2014. We realize this presents a challenge to the usual order of things at our Albion forays. The FFSC ministers will be sorting out details and working towards a solution. In the meantime, if your travels take you to Ft. Bragg during the week, do yourself a favor and pick up a permit; the fine for collecting without a permit is $1000. See the FAQ sheet from the JDSF office , and stay tuned for further details. Contact info: Jackson Demonstration State Forest 802 N Main St. Fort Bragg CA 95437 (707) 964-5674 Fax: (707) 964-0941 Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Soquel State Demonstration Forest Permits Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

News & Stories / Stewardship Soquel State Demonstration Forest Permits We are incredibly fortunate to have this collecting resource available to us. Mushroom gathering is by permit only. Due to increased demand, only a limited number of permits will be issued, so get yours soon, before the permits are all taken. Dan Tischler • October 29, 2024 Mushrooms in the area of the Soquel Demonstration Forest Please do not request a permit unless you plan on going there. Remember that in the winter it can be a difficult drive to get to the forest, and you will need to walk 1/2 mile before entering the legal gathering area. Here is the SDF map and so me forest rules . If you would like to request a permit please, visit the Soquel Demo Forest Website and look for the Mushroom Gathering Permit under "Recreation" and follow the instructions on permit request form. You should recieve your permit by email within a few minutes. Please note that extensive parts of the forest will be closed to access due to recent and ongoing logging activity Please respect all closures areas so that we can contiue using the forest. Mushroom picking is not permitted in any area administratively closed by the Forest Manager whether or not mushroom gathering is specified on closure signs. From October 16, 2024 through May 1, 2025, Corral Trail and Corral Road remain closed, as well as the entire area of the Sulphur Timber Harvesting Plan (except for passage along Hihn's Mill Road and Sulphur Springs Road). See map below for locations. The Sulphur THP area is closed to entry since hazards exist such as loose hanging branches, rough terrain and loose logs. Please stay on roads while passing through the Sulphur THP area and follow any signage you may encounter along roads and trails. You may not wander into the timber area to gather mushrooms- stay on the road! Failure to obey signage may jeopardize the mushroom gathering program at the forest. Look for Area Closed signs, timber operations, crews working, rehabilitation areas, research sites, etc. and obey the closures. For more info on the closures, visit the SDF website . Before going to the forest it is always best to check for updated information at https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRESoquel/ . Remember that this forest is in a remote location with very limited cell phone reception. Please follow all of the rules on the permit and posted at the forest. Remember in particular that the parking area and the first 1/2 mile of the road are private property and no picking is permitted. For additional information, see the Calfire website at Soquel Demonstration State Forest . Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Jackson Demonstration State Forest Permit Changes Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

News & Stories / Mycology & Art News Could a Stropharia Filter E. Coli Bacteria From Drinking Water? Paul Stamets has had his ear to the ground when it comes to the role of fungi in bioremediation. Cortinarius • June 3, 2014 Stropharia. Photo by Katherine Elvin Stamets' book, Mycelium Running , published in 2005, made a case for the use of fungi to reduce both bacterial and chemical contamination of runoff water. Now it looks like folks are taking note. After a 2012 research grant from the EPA to study mycofiltration, Stamets has been conducting more testing. Several fungi were studied for their ability to filter out E. coli , a bacteria found in human and animal feces. The results imply a delicious mushroom might consume something…well… not so pleasant, reducing it in runoff water by 20%. To read more, visit: https://truthout.org/articles/portlands-e-coli-scare-how-mushrooms-could-have-helped-prevent-it/ Editor's Note: The photograph of a Stropharia on this page is not the specific mushroom Stamets has studied for mycofiltration. Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Algae and Fungi Team Up--and They're Lichen It... Mycology & Art News Will Mushrooms Make Styrofoam Obsolete? Mycology & Art News Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

News & Stories / Mycology & Art News Origami Microscope Stanford’s Prakash Lab has engineered a folding microscope made of a sheet of paper. Shea Moss • June 9, 2014 Foldscope image (hosted on foldscope.com). Yes, it is indeed an Origami microscope. It can be used outdoors, is strong enough to survive a drop from a second story window, and is somewhat water resistant. It was developed with the idea of promoting science in undeveloped countries as well as in education. The scope costs about $.50 cents to $1.00 to manufacture. The Foldscope project at the lab won the Gates Exploration Grant. Now it is being field tested. Unfortunately we are hearing about this too late to apply to be one of the 10,000 Beta testers they were looking for, but it may be well worth our while to keep an eye on their progress. It would be a wonderful field mycology tool. To read more: http://www.foldscope.com/ Prakash gave a TED talk about the device, and shows the Foldscope in this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8cF5QPPmWU Don’t miss this one…. Amazing!!! Editor's Note: In 2016, Foldscope was successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter. Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Microscopy of Gilled Mushrooms Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

News & Stories / Earth Stars — Astreas Hygrometricus I went to Yuba County to hunt for Earth Stars. Although they are curled up and dry during the summer months, they aren’t too hard to find once you find a few older stray ones. The grass isn’t tall and it’s dry as well. Hugh Smith • July 3, 2026 Astreas hygrometricus. Photo by Hugh Smith These are Water Measure Earth Stars, Astreas hygrometricus . They open up when it’s wet, pushing themselves up through the Oak duff. Astreas hygrometricus . Photo by Hugh Smith The petals (rays) of this fungus curl up when conditions are dry, then repeat when a rain comes, pushing themselves up again above the duff. They can do this for a decade or more! I’ve studied them for several years, collecting some of the prime specimens to take home and put in my yard. I put them in other people’s yards too, putting them where hopefully, they'll be noticed when they open up. When an Earthstar opens up, they remind me of a creature, maybe even something that might have just fell out of the sky, an alien looking thing. Most people don’t even recognize them as anything when they’re dried up and curled. But when you see them open, holding their puff ball shaped spore sack high above the ground, you’d think they might wonder. Astreas hygrometricus . Photo by Hugh Smith (Continued below) Members Only Content Login Join FFSC Related Posts Busted Memories of Matsutake Previous Article All News & Stories Next Article

Birch Boletes (2014). Photo by Steve Olson Birch Boletes in July! Steve Olson Found these little Birch Boletes in a neighbors wooded yard. I would love to pick and dry these little fellas but not sure if they've been spayed, fertilized, etc. Too bad……they look delicious! Found in San Carlos, July 20, 2014 Sadly only had my iPhone camera Camera Apple iPhone 5 Focal L. 4mm Aperture Shutter Sp. 1/100s ISO 80 Flash Off Photo taken on July 20, 2014 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo

Boletus edulis (Jan 2016). Photo by Jonathan O'Bergin New Years Boletus Edulis Jonathan O'Bergin First light is the time to get lucky. B. edulis in January? Camera Nikon COOLPIX S4000 Focal L. 5mm Aperture f/3.2 Shutter Sp. 1/300s ISO 160 Flash Off Photo taken on January 2, 2016 Mushroom(s) ... Previous Photo Back to Gallery Next Photo