October 23

Back on September 18, I began my quest to follow Corbin Creek upstream from its confluence with the Pine River to its source. This morning, under mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the high 40’s, I join three fellow outdoorsmen as they help me find the source of this watercourse. Hiking northwest from Deaner Road, we come upon the possible origin of Corbin Creek, with its water trickling slowly northeastward through a narrow channel where it merges with a small swamp that is part of a large wetlands. Exploring the flood plain, we spot a pair of Red-belted conks growing on a dead tree trunk. These are some of the most common and important wood decay fungi in North America. Named after the red belt of color between the base of the fungus and the layers of growth above, it is fairly easy to identify. It is definitely not a mushroom for cooking and eating as it has a very hard texture and bitter flavor. Nearby on another dead tree trunk, we notice a few orange-colored, edible fungi called Velvet Shank mushrooms. They have a pleasingly slippery yet firm texture and sweet, mealy flavor. Young, dry buttons are also exceptionally good raw with a very sweet and aromatic toffee-like taste. On the damp ground, we see a five-inch cap of a Amanita mushroom. This fungus is a hallucinogen and must be considered poisonous. Its common name, Fly Agaric, is a reference to the tradition of using this mushroom as an insecticide. In some European countries mushroom caps are crumbled up and placed in saucers of milk to attract house flies. As the flies drink the milk they become drowsy, collapse and die. Later on, I venture to the east side of the wetlands where Corbin Creek re-emerges, flows a short distance east and then turns sharply to the south as it carves a deep, meandering channel into the terrain. Along the high bank, more fungi catch my eye, including, a large cluster of very edible Chicken-of-the-Woods mushrooms and a collection of never-before-seen Black Bulgar mushrooms. A fairly common and widespread woodland species in Britain and Ireland, this black fungi is commonly referred to locally as Black Jelly Drops or Poor Man’s Licorice. Considered inedible and poisonous in western countries, in northeastern China it is elaborately prepared and treated as a culinary delicacy. Continuing south, I arrive, once again, at Deaner Rd. and finally bid farewell to Corbin Creek as it flows under the road and continues its southerly journey.

Forest floor of fall

Leaf litter is ready

Shapes and shades

Sun and shadows

Dew drop diamonds

Pigments aplenty

Heavenly hues

Canvas awaits

Easel’s erect

Palate’s prepared

Nature poised

Artwork begins

 

D. DeGraaf