Foraging On Forest Floors

Dark, damp and magical, forest floors hold many wondrous secrets.

They seem to whisper “tip toe carefully and don’t disturb!”

Peace and tranquility descends.

Everywhere the smell of earth and decay.

Hushed sounds.

The occasional ray of sunshine breaking through the canopy of trees.

Rain drops hitting leaves and falling upon the forest floor. As each droplet catches the light it reflects a rainbow of colours, revealing a glimpse of the tiny world inside.

Vegetation

Fallen leaves. Fallen branches. Fallen trees. Mushrooms, toadstools, wild flowers, mosses, spores, old and decaying tree stumps, each one sprouting multitudes of fungi. Millions of tiny worlds scattered across the forest floor, living and dying, then waiting to mulch down and be taken back into the earth to help create the cycle of life once more.

Wildlife

Insects, animals, birds and of course we mustn’t forget spiders, wonderful, magical spiders. All make their homes and live their lives in the forest.

A Spider Fancy

Although many folk probably consider spiders to be insects, just like any other insect, those of us in the know, know better and disagree. Spiders and in particular forest spiders are special and they know it. Creeping silently across the forest floor, hiding under mushrooms, or climbing the woody bark of tree trunks, (masters of disguise in knowing how to avoid becoming the next meal for a hungry bird) feasting on delicious, tiny bugs and grubs, they spread wonder and magic with their webs. But do not be deceived, these spider kingdoms which sparkle in the morning due and allow sunbeams to dance across their silken threads, can also prove quite deadly for any poor, unsuspecting creature that happens to get caught in them.

Be warned!

Fascinating Fungi

Then of course there are mushrooms and toadstools which always need to be treated with respect. These delicate, fabulous creations sprouting in all shapes, colours and sizes, appear as nature’s jewels, but a reliable and healthy knowledge of what to pick and what not to pick is absolutely essential. Remember death can hide in the most innocent of places.

Deadly magic mushrooms

Only seen by night.

Hidden secret fungi

Alive with malice bright

Yet I do not think you evil

Just a little misunderstood

For despite such deadly magic

There still comes so much good

If one is just selective

Leaving ‘Angels Of Death’ alone

You can have many delicious forgeries

For scrumptious meal back home

The forest holds many secrets

Especially forest floors

And you my exquisite nature jewels

Are the most wondrous of them all.

CMM