two-colored bolete mushroom bruise

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There are a variety of ways to identify various mushroom families and genus. One of my favorite little groups of mushrooms are Boletes, mainly due to their dumpy, rotund, and often quite colorful appearances. They often grow around the base of a Pin Oak we explore, so it has been great fun getting to know them even more.
Forests are such incredible habitats. They support so much biodiversity, help us breathe (because you know, trees...), and provide so many resources. This October, over on my Patre0n, I'll be highlighting this incredible habitat, the animals that thrive in woodlands, and how to protect and enjoy the forest this fall! Read blog posts, get sh0p sale access, explore art, discover more of how the world works with natural science video tutorials, and even snag some themed sticker goodies! Head on over (🔗 in bio) and join the fun!
I love having butterflies, moths, fireflies, dragonflies, birds, and other cool critters in my neighborhood. Unfortunately, this can't happen if old leaves are removed. Leaves provide overwintering habitat for numerous insects (like those moths and butterflies!), which feed birds, amphibians, and other insects. A healthy plant and animal ecosystem absolutely needs those fallen leaves!
It's beginning to look a lot like Acorn Foraging season! Acorns can be soaked to leech out some of their bitter tannins, dried, roasted, then ground down into powder to make acorn flour, which makes them a fun little fall foraging find. You can use that flour to make all sorts of little chips or crackers (don't expect acorn flour to rise well!). I also like to add a smidgen to shortbread cookie recipes to add an earthy flavor, but prefer it as a more savory snack. Also, keep in mind that you need a relatively large amount of acorns to ground down to make even 1 cup of flour!
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