Having enjoyed too many gorgeous sunny days this month (mostly in the Chicago area), I wasn't mentally prepared to go for a long bike ride under a dense layer of fog this morning. I checked the Mt. Tam webcam and saw that it was sunny up there around Rock Spring, so I packed my macro lens and drove on up.
On the way up to Rock Spring I stopped to collect my trail cameras and was taken by the beauty of all the acorns on the ground. I couldn't be certain based on the camera footage, but it looked like even the coyotes like to eat them from time to time.
Acorn River
Heading out on the trail I spotted a butterfly that I wanted to photograph. I watched where it landed, and while I was looking for it I spooked up this praying mantis in the grass at my feet.
I didn't spot the well-camouflaged butterfly until it flew away.
Luckily, a few more (orange sulfurs?) came into the area over the next few minutes to drink nectar from the few dandelion flowers blooming in an otherwise dry and brown meadow.
Dewy Oxeye Daisy
The woods still held some moisture, but much of the fungi was already showing its age. Much of it had been nibbled by various critters though, including a squirrel that left an unidentifiable mushroom reduced to crumbs beneath its perch on a log.
Forest Treasures
Still Life With Russula
Decaying Madrone
Madrone Detail #1
Madrone Detail #2
Mycena Mushrooms
Madrone Berries, Pecked-out Bay Nut & Tiny Mushrooms
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