End of Drought

The rain is finally falling and breaking drought in Southern Ontario. I spent three weeks in Scotland and Croatia. In that period there was no rain in my area. Work was very busy and I did not have too many chances to explore woods. As expected, terrestrial mushrooms were almost totally absent. Only some species growing on the tree trunks could grow in the extreme heat and dry conditions (Oyster Mushroom, Chicken of the Woods etc.)

Last week there was some rain and this morning there was persistent drizzle so I decided to go to the trails. As expected, the main attractions were mushrooms growing on the wood, like Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus):



Several species of Crepidotus were around:


The mushrooms look something like miniature Oysters. This year I did not find any of the Crown Coral (Clavicorona pixidata) yet , but it seems they are coming:





Russulas and Lactarius mushrooms seem still to be missing. Picked several Charcoal Burners (Russula cyanoxantha):



Boletes are not expected yet, but I did found several Retiboletus ornatipes, some still too small to pick:



Not a trace of Chanterelle or Black Trumpet.

The rain lured out many of Newts (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens).



 

During my walk I stepped on the ground wasp nest and they attacked quite fiercely. I was bitten several times before managing to run away.

Hopefully August will be better  for mushrooms. It is month for Boletes.