Courtesy of The Compost

 If these dark, grey, damp days don't soon quit, 

you just might find me somewhere... completely fungified!

Yesterday as I was dumping the morning's manure in the compost pile, I happened to notice all of the varied fungi on the pile...

I sure hope you aren't yet tired of mushroom pictures!

Fungi and bacteria help to break down the manure and turn it into rich compost.

There has been so much research lately into the world of fungi and just what an important role they play in the health of our Earth.  As of 2020, about 148,000 species of fungi had been identified, but it's estimated that there may be a couple million different species.  There is still so much about this kingdom that needs to be studied.  If I had a do-over, maybe I would study to become a mycologist!

My favorite of the day:

Thanks to the extended warm weather, we are still enjoying many of Summer's colors.

Blossoms on a rosebush next to the house... (both colors on a single bush.)

The next couple of blossoms are compliments of the barn kitties.  

Pete was trying to give you his best smile... 

Meanwhile, behind my back, someone else was holding a lovely pose...

As you can see, we still have zinnias blooming around the barn.

Of course, there are still plenty of morning glories adorning the garden fence.

All of this past summer's chicks are now full grown and well into their laying cycles.  We are getting between two and three dozen eggs daily from these girls - quite a difference from this summer when we were only getting a handful each day!  Now we have plenty of eggs to share with family, friends, and the local food pantry.



Our pond ducks have had lots of company lately.  I counted an additional 40 ducks yesterday afternoon.
Even the little black duck who visited last winter has returned to the pond.


They wait in line as I throw fish food to the koi.  I have to stand beside the pond for a few minutes so that the koi can have their breakfast without the ducks stealing it.  The duck feeder has been filled with plenty of pellets, but they always prefer fish food.  Fish food is too high in protein for ducks, however, so we try to discourage that behavior.


Two happy pigs awaiting their morning apple snacks...

Yummy!  They smack their lips and chew with their mouths open, truly enjoying every morsel and sounding like... well... pigs.  There's a reason your mother told you not to eat like a pig!


I've been trying to carve out a little time each day for "art" practice.  Yesterday I finished this miniature ink and watercolor picture of our old log cabin.


If you happen to run into the sun somewhere out there, could you please send it our way?  Our solar panels are soon going to forget how to work!  And I am seriously close to growing fungus on my person!

Comments


I love your site and so enjoy your pictures & commentary, Bev. So awesome both! Thank you!
Lynne said…
Funny story about the “ Marge in Michigan” who commented above.
I was in the elevator at the hospital where I worked.
Marge happened on and said, “aren’t you the blogger Lynne Gordon?
I was “stopped in my tracks” that someone recognized me.
We have stayed in contact with email, lunch.
We live not too far from one another in Michigan. Small World.
She is very nice, sweet and kind.
And now I see her name on your site Beverly.

I enjoyed your post.
I too feel like I am turning into a fungi, fungus?
And if these rain clouds don’t move on out
I think I will scream . . .
The humidity is . . . wet and miserable!

Back to your post . . .
I think I will take some pictures today of the mushrooms around here.
Wish I had two littles like yours to pose for me amongst the pumpkins.
So cute . . .
Enjoy your Wednesday.
Let’s hope for a few rays of sun . . .
love
lynne
๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿ๐Ÿงก๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‚
Karla said…
I will never tire of your pictures of fungi! Have you ever read about "pestalotiopsis microspora"? These mushrooms EAT polyurethane and produce organic matter! OMG! Think about how helpful they can be to our ecosystem! I believe there is research going on currently, as to how we can use these wonderful mushrooms to consume plastic in landfills. There is hope!
Anonymous said…
I love your ink and watercolor pictures!
Marcia LaRue said…
I totally enjoy seeing all the fungi you have been able to show us! It's the only way some of us would ever see them!
I absolutely love the pics of Pete and Bea amongst the flowers!
Your pen and ink rendering of the log cabin is worthy of framing! You are so talented!
Dianne said…
Your favorite fungi picture looks like a poodle's head!
Jeannie said…
I enjoyed your pretty pictures today and I, too, find the fungi so interesting. I visited a flower farm last week and came home with some sunflowers and some farm fresh eggs. I don't eat eggs, but cook with them, and was delightfully surprised when I opened the carton to a lovely array of pastel colored eggs. What color are your eggs?
THE BEARDED ONE said…
THOSE WHITE MUSHROOMS ARE AWESOMELY BEAUTIFUL...SEEING THE DUCKS..ALL OF THE FUNGI..THE ANIMALS...THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND ANIMAL SHOTS AMONG THE FLOWERS WAS AWESOME...YOU HAVE SUCH A GREAT TALENT FOR WHAT YOU DO W/THESE POSTS.. I AM ALWAYS AMAZED AT YOUR BRILLANCE AND HOW YOU EXPLAIN THEM...YOU ARE SO VERY KNOWLEDGABLE...AND THEN YOUR PAINTING...BEAUTIFUL..I CAN TELL TAHT YOU ARE A PERFECTIONIST...IT HAS TO BE EXACT OR YOU ARE UNHAPPY...THIS SITS YOU OUT FORM THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS ON THIS EARTH....THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO VERY MUCH AND HAVE A SUPER DUPER DAY !!!!!! I GOTTA BUSH HOG AGAIN TODAY...3 DAYS IN A ROW AND MOST OF LAST WEEK...TRYING TO KEEP OUT PLACE LOOKING GOOD !!! KEEP SMILNG !!

EDGAR C. BEARD
This N That said…
It won’t be long in the sun will appear bringing with it summer temperatures for a few days. We need to dry out a bit.
I love the shot of Pete…It’s a keeper.
One of your fungi look like a poodles… do you have some very interesting ones.
Love the water color of your cabin. You really captured it.
So happy that your ducks have returned.
Happy hump day. Hugs
Judy G said…
Those kitty pics are adorable!! Frame-worthy
Karen said…
The grey and mist is in my DNA:) * Pacific Northwest - Washington native . . . I love rain! After 109 here (in the spring!!) I thought I'd never see my rain again. We have a small well and it can go dry (one year we were without water from June-October:( you get used to packing water actually . . .but most years we have water. I actually get depressed if there are too many sunny days in a row:) *and Bev - your water colors are just so wonderful - and you just started! I am a bit jealous . . .I can't wait until you start painting all of your sweet animals!
Those two pics of the cats with the flowers are my favorites today! Plus I love the mushroom pics too. Great blog Bev!!!