Mushroom Sleuthing

I was on a quest. A mushroom quest. As I rambled through the woods, I had noticed a few colorful little gems peeking out from under the carpet of dried brown leaves beneath my feet, and that only made me want more.

Aquabee Super Delluxe sketchbook, 9" x 12", watercolor and Sakura Pigma Micron 01 pen

I felt like I was on a treasure hunt, as my eyes darted this way and that, looking for bright pinks and yellows, as well as the camouflaged tans and greys.

Aquabee Super Delluxe sketchbook, 9" x 12", watercolor and Sakura Pigma Micron 01 pen

If I hadn't been paying attention, I would have missed them...

I sketched the mushrooms directly in ink while I was there in the woods and snapped a photo of each one.

It was dusk by the time I finished, and the mosquitoes were finding me every time I paused to sketch, so, after filling two pages in my 9" x 12" sketchbook, I headed indoors.

 

I spent the next hour or so with a field guide to mushrooms, trying to identify the ones I had drawn. I'm not sure I was too successful - so many of them look similar to one another. 

 It sure was fun tromping around in the woods, though, just seeing what I could see.

I need to give myself permission to do this more often. To wander, to paint, to really look at the things I might normally pass by.

I need to remember that my to-do list will still be there tomorrow, but summer will be over in the blink of an eye. 

 I'm going to savor each moment.