Colorado Lifestyle: Shelter Bay

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Day 3: Around the cabin on Shelter Bay

Looking south along the lake shore on the first morning

A view of the cabin, its wrap around deck, and the lake beyond.

This American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) was taunting me from its perch. American Red Squirrels are very territorial and live and feed on conifer trees.

Waking up after a pitch-black storm in our cozy cabin on Shelter Bay was a treat. This cabin was located just a few feet from the lake. It was surrounded by woods and two bridges traversed a long narrow pond. While my two friends lounged in the sunny solarium facing the lake, I wandered about snapping pictures. So forgive me in indulging in this fit of plant loving photography.

The first of many mushroom photos. Amanita flavaconia. The Amanita genus is the most poisonous so don't go nibbling on this one. No shroom in this genus is fit for human consumption. One penny sized cap of the Angel Killer can kill a large man.

This type of Birch shelf fungus (Piptoporus betulinus) was everywhere. Some specimens were as large as pizza pies!

I am guessing this is Lepoita cristata.
There is something about the smell of rotting vegetation after a rain! In this series there were at least 3 species of fungi. Alas, they won’t be the last you see. Mushrooms, jelly fungi, and toadstools sprouted like wildflowers in the Michigan woods. I had no idea they could be so varied in style.

The cabin was surrounded by conifers and young maples

What is a fall color trip without a close up of a maple leaf after the rain.

The Pond Series

I like the these Lilly pond picture because of the striations in the water.

Fall color reflected in the pond

Ok, it is just reeds growing in the pond but I liked the reflections.

The day after the pictures above, a 3-day gale started to blow. After the storm had abated the sky and clouds turned deep blue. One morning a Bald Eagle soared between us and Grand Island.