While touring Wakulla Springs in Florida last December we learned about the Anhinga bird. Though these birds look similar to the common Cormorant, the more rare Anhinga's sport a sharp pointed bill. Here we caught this male drying his wings in the afternoon sun, as they typically dive deep in water while they fish. Their bones are more dense than most birds and lack buoyant feathers, all to help reach greater depths while fishing. After a deep and waterlogged hunt, they tend to spread their large wings in the sun to warm up their bodies. Sources: The Cornell Lab

Were you lucky enough to forage some "Chicken of the Woods" ? If so here's a simple vegan recipe that will blow you away 🐔 🍄 Ingredients: Wild foraged “Chicken of the Woods” Oat Milk Panko Flour Vegetable Oil Smoked Paprika Cayenne Pepper Red Pepper Flakes Garlic salt Black Pepper Pancake Mix (Optional - Vegan) Mac n cheese Cast Iron Pan (ideal for frying) #mushrooms #recipe #vegan #vegetarian #forage #mycology #nature #health #healthy

Welcome to the Fungi Forum! Let us know who you are and how you became interested in mycology or the natural world around us. We're relatively new to the world of mycology, having started our studies during the pandemic in the Spring of 2020. We've always had a love for the environment and an interest in the plants, animals, and all living things that surround us and contribute to these beautiful and complex ecosystems. Want to put a face to the name? Click here for our introduction video as the Mobile Mushroom family 🍄

Let's ID some fungi! Curious about a mushroom or fungus in your area? Leave some photos and as many details as you can collect here in this forum and we can work on an official identification!

Interested in foraging? Maybe its your first time or maybe you'd like to improve your skills? Here are some simple tips we've learned: Protect Yourself! Always use some form of bug repellant, as ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes etc. thrive in the areas that are best for foraging. Personally, I choose to wear long pants most times, even in the heat of summer just to avoid excess exposure to these elements and protect myself from topical toxins like the common 'Poison Ivy' plant. Sunscreen and a rain jacket are always good to have too. Bring a Field Guide. Most times when we forage we will find ourselves tediously working toward identifications before we can reap the benefits of harvesting. A great way to learn as you go is to bring along a field guide. When searching for a field guide, be sure to pick one that is most specific to your area and climate. Documentation. Make sure to bring along your phone, camera, and/or a notepad to document what you encounter. Phones are a great way to simultaneously document with photos, location, and time of year for different species you encounter on your forage. Don't forget your Knife & Bag or Basket! As foragers, we have a responsibility to respect our environment from which we are utilizing. With that said, if you are foraging plants or mushrooms, be sure to bring a knife along in order to preserve root systems and mycelial networks. Baskets are a great way to collect plants and especially fungi as they provide natural air circulation for spores to continue to be released into the forest even after harvesting. Remember: Even if you're not prepared for a forage, be sure to enjoy your surroundings and immerse yourself in what the Japanese call a "Forest Bath."