During this montht's rains, not only did a few small animals like the ducks make more visible appearances around Town, but other forms of life began to emerge as well. This week, that included a small gathering of mushrooms spotted in the green area near Central, at Civic Center.
Mushrooms often appear after periods of rain or higher humidity, when the soil holds enough moisture for fungi to fruit above the ground. What we see on the surface is only a small part of a much larger organism living beneath the grass, quietly breaking down organic matter and helping nutrients return to the soil.
Although it is difficult to say with certainty what type of mushrooms these are, they are best admired from a distance. Many wild mushrooms can be difficult to identify from appearance alone, and some species that grow in lawns can be toxic if eaten. For that reason, it is always best to keep an eye on little children and pets when mushrooms appear in grassy areas.
Now that the rains have subsided, these mushrooms have also dried down, and their bright, delicate state in the picture is already a thing of the past. Still, it is nice to see how life responds to the seasons in small and unexpected ways. Whether it is ducks visiting after the rain, howler monkeys becoming more present during wet days, or tiny mushrooms growing from the lawn, we love seeing how life continues to emerge and surprise us in little corners all throughout Town.