I suppose it is possible to go for a simple walk and come back refreshed and unpuzzled but I often come back with my pockets full of questions and a lot of odd photos. Why should I be the only one wondering about these things?
This caught my eye. It looked to me exactly like a piece of Victorian jewelry–the kind meticulously crafted from someone’s hair and a bit of wicker. Mourning jewelry, perhaps.
Up close it looks a bit like the Cowboy after a roll in something smelly, doesn’t it?
That’s not what it is, of course. It’s another of the astonishing mushrooms that keep sprouting this fall.
I have to say that it’s a challenge taking a photo of something bright white and jet black in failing light. On the other hand, playing around with my rudimentary photo editing tools in an effort to help you see what I saw led to yet another Halloween image.
I tell you, those Victorians had a well-developed taste for the macabre. I like that in an epoch.
Torch Lake Views 
Kate on Clinton
October 10, 2010
I’m loving all the mushroom photos that are popping up on the blogosphere. This one is wonderful, and yes, it looks exactly like a mourning jewelry pendant or button, hair and all!
Gerry
October 10, 2010
Thank you Kate. I will have to spend some time exploring Brooklyn through your eyes!
P.j. grath
October 10, 2010
Gerry, I love what your eye sees and what your mind makes of it. Mourning jewelry to Cowboy rolling in–well, you’re always full of surprises.
Gerry
October 10, 2010
I suspect that even when my eyes can no longer see my mind will make something of, well, whatever’s at hand. I live to surprise you!
Andrea
October 10, 2010
Hi Gerry! This is one of the coolest mushrooms!
We had a single one growing in our yard and the kids and I used our mushroom guide to identify… Shaggy Ink Cap. It’s “a populare edible species”, but eaten when young…
compared to what we saw, this one kind of looks like the end of the witch in the “Wizard of Oz”. The New Guide to Mushrooms also says: “…it was used many years ago by monks to produce an exceptionally fine drawing ink made by boiling the collapsed caps in a little water and a hint of cloves.”
Gerry
October 10, 2010
Now that is interesting stuff, and I went googling about to learn more. I’m not sure it’s the same mushroom. It might be, of course–I would be the last to know. I found two kinds of ink caps–one of which is toxic if alcohol is consumed at the same time or within a few days. The really funny thing is that it may be the same “shaggy mane” mushroom that Margie Guyot wrote about the other day. I may have to go ahead and publish the photo she sent. Lessee, where did I put that . . . AND WHILE I WAS LOOKING FOR THAT HERE CAME BABS YOUNG’S LATEST MICHIGAN PICTURE AND GUESS WHAT IT FEATURES?!?
Katherine
October 10, 2010
Those are very cool. I’ve been seeing a lot of “shrooms this fall but not that one.
Also, to Kate on Clinton. I love Brooklyn. Lived there for 3 years and your photos and blog brought back great memories
Gerry
October 10, 2010
Everybody’s looking at these at once and my slow dialup is making my head spin. Wait’ll you see what Babs sent.
(I like Kate’s blog, too!)
Karma
October 10, 2010
I love your reference to the Cowboy rolling in something stinky! What a perfect comparison.
Gerry
October 10, 2010
You’re going to love even more the post I’m finishing up right now.
Cindy Lou
October 11, 2010
Crazy looking fungi you have growing in your world, Gerry! Almost looks alien, hey?
Gerry
October 11, 2010
Triffids.