Fruits of the Forest

If you go down to the woods today....

Worrying.  Isn't it?

I met this spider (four-spotted Orb Weaver - Araneus quadratus) the other day, crossing the pavement,

And just wished we could talk.

And on another afternoon I met this chap [the larva of the Pale Tussock moth (Calliteara pudibunda)] bristling towards some pupatory spot, and thought it would be real nice to chat.....

Aw but, honey.....

I don't got the time for fun, Gus, these days.....

But if you just give my champignons a ring some time,

We'll see what an ass I can make of myself.....

Even if I be a bit sluggish....

But....  What abundance!  This wet autumn has given rise to untold multitudes of mushrooms....

And as the saying goes.....

All fungi are edible.....

Once.....

Though some may be toadstools....

What'll give you a Grimm time, seeing goblins perhaps? Though some, like the brown birch bolete (Leccinum scabrum) are ok to eat, even if they ain't as good as their cousins the Cep....

There's so many to choose from, some good, like this mosaic puffball (Lycoperdon utriformis),

And some not so good, like these Lilac Bonnets (Mycena pura) which contain muscarine, C9H20NO2+) which ain't that nice......

Yep, if you go down to the woods today, you might be surprised by the wonder. Here's a neat looking Magpie fungus (or Magpie ink cap) (Coprinus picaceus)

And perhaps that's what this squirrel ate?

(Or is he just resting?)

But, if you don't try.....

You'll never fly.....

I have been down to the woods, 

and I just wished we could talk.....