What do you do on a day when it is pouring rain? Photograph water, I guess. And I love this waterfall and it also kindles memories of Murphy who I still miss almost as much as I did the first day I came here for solace. Bentley is a sweet dog, but there was and ever will be only one Murph. ❤
I spent the better part of an hour getting just a little wet under the shelter of the trees making several images from different perspectives but this was the best composition with me standing in the middle of the brook. It’s only about 10″ deep at most here so not a threat to life and limb.
The rain finally started to come down as a steady shower and it was time to go. But walking along the road back to the car a bright orange delight beckoned. You know how it is with bright shiny objects and a simple mind. 🙂
This is Amanita jacksonii. So pretty, how could I pass it by. The mushrooms were somewhat under cover…I was not.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Amanita jacksonii is really pretty and the name has a musical ring and matches this photo. I think this was a great find and there is nothing simple about the photo. Shinny brown leaves glisten from the morning rain and add to the interest of the photo. The brook is gorgeous and surely was worth the effort. I am sorry that you miss Murphy so much but I must agree that he was a once in a life time dog. He was very photogenic and had a personality to match. We simply become attached to a certain dog- I know the feeling from experience.
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It is a lovely fungus fruit.
Yes, Murphy was indeed special. He had his quirks and other people were not his friends in his estimation, but he loved us and we him. I don’t know if I mentioned this where you would have seen it, or if I mentioned it at all, but on his last day he was really uncomfortable and literally ready to leave us. Still, when I arrived home he dragged himself to the door to greet me before struggling back to his bed where he remained until I picked him up to go to the vet for goodbye. It’s a strong memory that seems like yesterday.
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No., don’t think you ever mentioned what he did on his last day. That is really heart rendering to know that he met you at the door. He truly loved you and Mary Beth. I see why he was such a special dog. I have my special dogs- one from my childhood and two from my teen years. Well come to think of it all my past dogs had some special quality but some stand out in my memory.
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Pets aren’t interchangeable any more than people. There’s still a Dixie Rose-sized gap in my life, and no kitty — however cute or smart or affectionate — ever could fill it perfectly. Of course, I wouldn’t expect that, and I know you haven’t placed that kind of expectation on Bentley.
That’s a remarkable pair of fungi. The ones I see around here usually are white or brown, and fairly plain in shape. I’m sure if I got into actual woods more often, I’d see more, but I do enjoy the variety you’ve shown us. I like the water dripping from the underside of the rock shelf in the first photo, too. It’s a lovely counterpoint to the flow of the stream.
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I think I missed something either in my reading comprehension or one of your posts. When did you lose Dixie Rose? I have thought all along that she was a current companion of yours and not gone at all. No, we don’t expect him to be Murphy which is why we waited a year before adopting anew. We made that mistake after losing our first, Cassie. Purchased the only dog we have “bought” and just couldn’t abide him despite his being a very nice dog. Ended up giving him to a nice local family who just happened to be customers of the store where I work. I got to see him several times when providing them with service. Thereafter we always waited before acquiring a new pet. The year between Murphy and Bentley being the longest time.
It was hard to miss the pair of ‘shrooms as I walked in the rain. They were like those oft mentioned beacons. Well worth the soaking I received.
There are so many facets of the smallish waterfall…really a collection of small cascades. I considered reducing the impact of the shelf and made several different compositions with less of it but in the end decided it was an asset. Glad you agree.
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Yes, it’s been nearly five months since I lost Dixie. It was unexpected, and sudden. At noon she was fine. When I found her about 2 p.m. she’d suffered what we decided later was an embolism, was paralyzed in her hindquarters, and couldn’t walk. I got her in to the vet right away, and made the decision that, at 18 years of age, it wasn’t fair to have her suffer through tests, procedures, and so on. By 4 p.m., she was gone. I don’t regret the decision, but I do miss her terrifically. Here’s the post I wrote that day. It’s still hard to read it, but writing it certainly did help at the time.
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That post was during one of my blogging blackouts. I always feel bad about that but missing the news about Dixie Rose gives me pause as to not allowing myself to get out of touch with my friends here. I’ll try not to let it happen again. It took me a year to be ready to welcome Bentley into our lives. Despite that year it was still a struggle to accept him but I finally have. I hope you have an easier time should you decide there is room for another in your life.
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Both images are rather special Steve. It is impressive that you can just switch from landscape mode to close up with consummate ease. The Amanita jacksonii is beautiful We all miss Murphy. I dread to think what we will do when we lose Lulu. 🐶
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Thanks, Andrew. My first photography book, that I can recall, was John Shaw’s Nature Photography Field Guide which runs the gamut of all things nature photography. Learning from his book got me shooting all different subjects large and small one after the other. It took a while to be able to walk through the woods scanning up and down and I still miss a lot, I am sure.
Having not seen Lulu in a while was what prompted my question in that message, Andrew. I dread your losing her as well. She’s such a little delight and every bit the Princess.
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I think I have that book Steve. I have a whole series of his books. Trying to look up and down as well as left and right is always a challenge. I often find good bugs above head height.
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Beautiful images, Steve. I still miss the little cat who adopted us. I still expect to see her waiting on the doorstep in the morning, or when I come home. We are so fortunate to have had the companionship of friends like your Murphy and my Zoe.
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For that whole year between Murphy and Bentley I too expected to be greeted by him when arriving home. But now Bentley is an awesome greeter. 🙂
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🙂 🙂
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Nice images. Do you know if all Amanita are poisonous?
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Most are, but some are not, like this one that is supposedly edible. I don’t forage so they are all safe from my sauté pan.
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These are very nice Steven! Well done. We have few mushrooms in TX, especially know with the drought….
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Thanks, Terry. Some, such as polypores, can get by without much water but most won’t do well in your drought. Hope you get some rain soon.
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Another spectacular mushroom image! I had to take a break from blogs so sorry to bombard you with comments.
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Thanks, Lynn. I see no need to apologize for commenting. They are always nice to receive. I don’t do enough of it myself. And I also took a prolonged leave of absence from blogging.
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I appreciate that, Steve, thank you!
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