So,
Last spring I got a new digital camera, and wanting to test it out I began hunting outside for some subjects to photograph.
Well after some searching in the yard I came across a mushroom at the edge of my field. So deciding it was a good chance to tryout my camera's ability to capture extremely detailed closeups of thing I snapped several shots of the fungi.

Upon returning to my computer I was amazed how beautiful the little details of the things were, and the fact that despite mushrooms being all over the place in the area I live, I had never really taken a chance in my nearly 30 years to appreciate them. Despite being someone who loves being outdoors.
Maybe my ignorance was caused by my extreme dislike of eating them, I don't know, but damn are they amazing.
So this led to my reading of several mycology books, and many, many excursions into the woods to hunt out these once ignored friends of mine.
The sheer complexity of the types, forms, and properties of fungus is mind boggling. What a great way to spend an afternoon trudging through the woods and discovering them has become.
Unfortunately winter has put a hamper on my new favorite outside activity so as I was reminiscing by looking through my pictures (I have a ton now) I decided I would put a couple to use making my until now neglected new background space. It's not the best background but I am a better photographer than photoshopper.

The mushrooms are: Left - Hygrophorus psittacinus AKA Parrot Mushroom. Center - Clavulina cristata AKA Crested Coral Right - Stropharia rugosoannulata AKA Wine Cap Stropharia (edible)

I can't wait til spring.