Yellow-Orange Fly Agaric

Amanita muscaria var. guessowii

Subject A
Date: October 17, 2018
Location: Monkton, VT

October 17, 2018

Observation: Last Observation:
First & Last —

One of my favorite mushrooms, the Yellow-Orange Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria var. guessowii)

Little did I know this mushroom would spawn a deep love for all other mushrooms. More specifically, this exact mushroom — even in the brightly colored fall leaves, this iridescent cap caught my eye.

Sadly this formative find was just the cap — removed from the stem and the rest of the fruiting body. Although being able to hold and observe a mushroom in this way may have deepened my curiosity.

Placing the cap on a tree stump alter was the only fitting resting place for this shiny cap.

And from this point on, being in the woods changed. Hikes no longer just hikes, they're always opportunities to spot mushrooms.

Subject B
Date: September 8, 2019
Location: Monkton, VT

September 8, 2019

Observation: Last Observation:
First & Last —

A evening rondevu with a relative of the mushroom I met 326 days prior.

Even at twilight, in the shadows of dense young tree growth, this orange and yellow beacon calls out.