Not everything on the forest floor this time of year has fallen and is in the process of dying. Doug Smith gives us a bugs eye view of some interesting fungi. Guess I'm going to have to get my edible mushroom references out, before I fry up this delicacy. Hmm, somehow the words fungi and delicacy don't seem to go together very well - -

Anyone know if it's just an old wives tale that you fry your wild mushrooms with a silver dollar and if it doesn't turn color, they're safe to eat?

A mushroom walks into a bar and orders a beer, the bartender says sorry we don't serve mushrooms, why not says the mushroom i'm a fungi!

Good work Mr. Smith, well composed, now frame it.
Regards,
Donn

Charlie,
Did you guys upgrade the Bridge Cam? Pictures seem to be more clear than ever lately. Must be some real quality gear you use.

Mike,

The Bridge Cam is a Kodak DC-260, the same one which saved Jonathan's life up on Bumbletown Hill (see May 30, 2002). Click on the bridge picture for a higher resolution, every 15 minutes.

My thanks to Toivo for being back at the helm of the weekday Pasty Cam. I notice the WOW page has been updated through the end of September with some great new wallpaper. Maybe we'll see October this week?

Over this past weekend we had a chance to go up to Brockway, during the Lake Superior Pro Rally. This morning Ned Aldridge sent a panorama of the view.

Ah yes, I remember that story Charlie. Hard to believe that thing is still working as well as it is. I guess the Yooper enginuity you spoke of back then turned out to be quite efficient. But then again, isn't it always?

Don't know about the silver dollar trick ... but from experience, if you toss a piece of potato in the pan while cooking and it does not turn black you're okay.

Thank you Toivo, those are wonderful WOW's

Thank goodness that potato trick worked, DB! I saw some great mushrooms when I was hiking in August -- red, orange, shiny brown. Interesting creatures.

I trust everyone is joking about the potato and silver dollar tests for mushroom safety. There is no substitute for learning proper mushroom identification. For a good article about the general topic, see http://chicagowildernessmag.org/issues/fall1999/mushrooms.html

Thanks for the info Ann, I'll put that silver dollar back in my pocket and refer to my mushroom identification books from now on!

Never heard of the potato OR the silver dollar
test for mushrooms. The only sure-fire way to
be sure the 'shrooms are safe is to put a Troll
in the skillet with them... (Kids, don't try
this without adult supervision!) And yes, I am
joking, for all you sensitive souls out there.

I read this evening on the Mining Gazette webpage that Paul J. Johnson, Calumet died in an attack during the Iraq war Tuesday. Condolences to his friends and family.