Donning a peppering of dewdrops, these glistening Mushroom steps.....

..... beckon that adventuresome fairy with a hankerin' to climb ;0) If you believe in fairies that is ;0)

Image by Adrienne Celeste... thanks!

Nature Artist Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

OK I am soooo over Winter! - Dreaming of HOT Summer days that bring forth fragile mushrooms after the rain.

Image taken by Adrienne Celeste.

A multi-talented lady indeed!

Nature Art by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Miniature Umbrellas

Delicate mushrooms emerging in unison following a warm Summer shower. Photo by a dear friend..... thanks Adrienne Celeste ;0)

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

When I grow up I want to be a tree ;0)

Maybe in my NEXT life?

It's all a matter of perspective..... How we perceive what we see, events in our lives or even how we view ourselves can determine our future. But let us accept the things we cannot change..... like if we were born a mushroom instead of a tree..... ha!

Ponder these questions for a moment though: Do you think BIG or small? Is your cup half empty or half FULL? Do you relish GOODNESS or evil? Can you differentiate illusion from REALITY? Can you recognize that ACTIONS do speak louder than words? ETC. etc. etc.........

I believe that possessing the ability to endlessly QUESTION and not simply surrender to the views or wishes of others is the key to personal fulfillment. Also being able to say WHAT IF allows us to strive for our own idea of personal greatness.

Thanks Adrienne Celeste for another thought provoking image ;0)

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Style Savy Mushroom - With An Architectural Flair!

This is one smart mushroom - for showing up in such a "classy" terrain..... with its own architectural lines it fits right in! Definitely not an eyesore and stands proud as any other blossom in the flower garden would ;0)

This beautiful photograph is by a good friend..... Thanks Adrienne Celeste! Don't forget to click on the image to supersize.

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Let Us Give Thanks For All Of God's Creations..... Big & Small

As our family & friends gather to give thanks.....

let us not forget that.....

even the tiniest of God's miraculous creations.....


are precious gifts worthy of celebration ;0)

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

And Thank You dear friend for these beautiful photographs of lichen & mushrooms.

For more information about Lichens, here is a site worth visiting: http://www.lichen.com/

Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Oyster Mushroom - This very large fungus called Pleurotus Ostreatus is found in Richmond, Virginia

Dining on the Oyster Mushroom is these guys specialty!

They can devour it in short order with the help of various other fungus connoisseurs.

(click on photos to supersize these little slices of life)

This discriminating beetle is of the family Ciidae.

Bugguide.net shows other family members here: http://bugguide.net/node/view/37334/bgpage

The smell of the mushroom is very mild.

A very old Tulip Poplar is dying.


Tom Volk has more information about mushrooms here: http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/oct98.html

As always you should properly identify any mushroom prior to considering it edible! If unsure at all..... leave it for the beetles ;0)

Nature Photographs by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Mushroom - Small, Meek & All Alone In This Big Big World..... A Pixie With Personality ;0)

Not perfect.....

with its creased little hat tipped to one side.....

but that's OK.

This mini mushroom is appreciated just the same ;0)

Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

An ordinary backyard nuisance or a delicate work of art - The mushroom

I capture pictures of mushrooms before they perish as they are not long-lived. I know I will be painting our local toads and of course a great "prop" for them certainly is the lowly toadstool. A bonus of photographing them is that I am given the opportunity to appreciate their intricate construction and delicate coloring. Inspect one more closely next time you see it as an annoying eyesore in your beautiful lawn..... just before you mow it over or pluck it out! Amazing nature ;0)
Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Perfect Mushroom for that discerning Toad Frog living in your yard. Canopy of leaves for privacy.

Toadstools have a knack for sprouting up practically anywhere and this one wasn't going to let several inches of leaves get in its way. The American Toad would enjoy this spot to hang out until a hungry squirrel came along. Yes the squirrels are stealing all the mushrooms in the woodland for a gourmet snack. It seems they love them almost as much as the hickory nuts!
Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Here's an interesting Mushroom - The patterns and colors are a work of art.

I'll definitely have to add this fungi to one of my nature oil paintings. The sides are quite interesting so click on the image to enlarge.
Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Puffball - I had planned to continue photographing this brown beauty until it expired but Lawnmower Man happened!

Yes this rather large fungi specimen is now scattered all over our backyard.

Oh well..... the best made plans of mice and men!

Mushrooms are something I buy at the grocery for my salad or to saute but know very little about them. In an effort to identify this puffball I stumbled upon this awesome website about mushrooms, fungi and mycology. Well worth visiting - http://www.mykoweb.com/index.html

This Virginia puffball photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Apartment Living For Mushrooms? Yes even nature loves a community life.

Within the week these were gone......eaten by beetles!

Photographed by Carolyn Hietala