into the woods

I went on an autumn hike through the woods and pretended I wasn't a big loud clumsy human, yet a limber soft trodden doe. It was fun.

There was lots of greens, browns and smatterings of red, yellow and orange.

Along the path I saw something bright orange growing on a tree. Initially spotting it in the distance I couldn't imagine what it was and still can't quite believe it.

Giant vibrant orange mushrooms. Growing vertically along the bark like stacked pancakes. They look like they belong in the sea. When I look at the photos now they make me think of Spain.

I do not know why.

I sat under a huge beautiful tree and every once in a while heard what sounded like a door creaking closed. I looked up and wondered if the tree was creaking in the wind but upon hearing it again I got the feeling it was a bird. I told my friend who tried to be enthusiastic on my behalf but when I dragged her to the tree and she heard for herself she said...'oh, I didn't really believe you!' (I did a google search and found many 'creaking door' sounding birds but none that I can confidently commit to.)

An adventure to say the least.