Nature Diary: Magic Mushrooms
There hasn’t been much nature time of late, at least not as much as I would like. What I want is a week, immersed in some far-off land with almost complete solitude, with a pile of books and an endless supply of delectable pickings, and a hammock, close to the ocean, but also close to the forest. Not too much to ask, is it? Summer in Australia is a strange thing for us Northern Hemisphere folk. Christmas has never felt like Christmas, and I’m not much of a Christmasy person, but turkey and ham in the sweltering heat has never appealed. Meanwhile, the desire to escape is thwarted by the fact that the Summer holidays kick in mid-December and everyone is escaping!
So, we’ll stay in our little spot by the sea, which in truth is only lacking the hammock, everything else, bush and ocean and even delicious food can be found close by. But, somehow it's not quite the same. There is something so refreshing about being somewhere entirely new. We went to visit a local Buddhist Temple recently and while it's only 40 minutes away it felt like a million miles away from our usual haunts and we felt genuinely refreshed and revived afterwards. A change is as good as a rest, they say (sometimes).
The highlight of my nature adventures this week was the discovery of some fungi on a bush path near home. The combination of several rain storms and the dense gum leaf litter provided the perfect conditions for several species to pop up. Sadly, my mushroom identification is almost non-existent and the iPhone photos don’t do the images any justice. By the time I get back out with the camera, the chances are they will have disintegrated, such is the nature of our short-lived fungal pals. This happy-looking little specimen popped up in the full light of the sun and was such a delightful discovery. This was the least awful photo which I’ve uploaded to inaturalist in the hopes of an ID. If you are enchanted by the plants, animals, insects or fungi you find on your walks but don’t know their names, this is such a valuable resource, and by uploading your photos you become part of one of the largest worldwide citizen science databases. The website is an incredible record of biodiversity across the world, and it’s particularly fun looking at what incredible species are in your backyard, and looking at the creatures in places you’d like to visit, hello Costa Rica.
Listen // Podcast - On Being with Krista Tippett and Nick Cave
I’ve been seeing quite a few people write about grief lately. I think it comes to the fore at this time of the year when we might feel grief more acutely. When things are supposed to be and feel a certain way. A good reminder too, that grief can be the absence or loss of almost anything not just a loved one, but a way of being, a place, or something or will cease to be.
I listened to Krista Tippett’s conversation with Nick Cave titled “Loss Loss, Yearning, Transcendence”. I have to admit that other than a few songs I’ve yet to explore Nick Cave’s music. This conversation may have changed my mind. His reflections on the loss of the loss of two of his children are quite something. I found myself nodding in agreement, and sighing, almost relieved at his ability to put into words, the aspects of grief which are seemingly irreconcilable and yet somehow transformative. He describes the sense of the world going on in the wake of loss so well,
“It was the audacity of the world to continue to be beautiful and continue to be good in times of deep suffering. That’s how I saw the world, it was not paying me any attention, it was just carrying on being systemically gorgeous. How dare it”.
Read // Just Keep Going - Margaret Bradshaw's Commitment to Wildflowers
I’d like to be friends with Margaret Bradshaw but I’m willing to bet she doesn’t have much time for making new friends because she’s busy trying to preserve the biodiversity of a fragile plant system in Teesdale in England's north. This fantastic article by Phoebe Weston in the Guardian’s ‘Age of Extinction' series is almost equally sad and inspiring but tips the scales in clear favour of inspiration. Margaret has been working to protect this habitat for seventy years and has just completed another book in her 97th year. I found this piece so uplifting, even though she has seen the decline of this unique plant species over decades her commitment has not wavered. There is something about single-minded passion and perseverance that is so compelling. She says “Keep at it, don’t just sit down and watch the telly”. Wise words to live by.
I would love to know what you’ve been listening to, reading or watching lately
Natures notes is proudly written on and inspired by Dharawal Country. I recognise the Dharawal & Wodi Wodi custodians and ancestors who have an enduring connection to land, water and skies.
Always Was and Always Will be Aboriginal Land.
Always good to see a post from you in my in-box, Anna. Thank you for sharing those two recommendations. Both sound great; I will check them out!
Hello Anna.
I'm friends with Rachel which is how i was introduced to your Substack notes.
Thank you for your posts and recommendations. Even tho' i don't reply or comment/chat i really appreciate your vivid writing and photos. Wishing you a gentle hammock filled season....from one site to another.
💚 Angela in Wexford Town, Ireland.