Mushrooms, Slugs, and a Rainy Forest Adventure - Oct 10, 2025

This morning, I set out early with my camera and my adventure cat, Finnegan, under a stormy fall sky. The forecast hinted at rain, but I was hoping the weather would hold just long enough for us to sneak in a slow wander through the forest. My goal was to search for mushrooms and slugs — and wow, did I hit the jackpot.

Slowing down to look for these tiny forest treasures is Finnegan’s perfect pace. He’s doing wonderfully learning to walk and explore with me, taking in the scents and sights of the forest floor. For me, however, this kind of outing is a real exercise in patience. I naturally love to keep moving, exploring wide spaces and covering ground. Standing still to study logs and mossy nooks doesn’t come easily. But today, it was exactly what I needed.

Among the damp logs and fallen leaves, I found a beautiful variety of slugs — shy at first, but willing to pose if I was quiet enough.

Did You Know?

Slugs are forest recyclers! These slow movers play a crucial role in breaking down decaying leaves, mushrooms, and plant matter, turning it into nutrient-rich soil. By doing this, they help keep forest ecosystems healthy and support new plant growth. Some species, like the Pacific banana slug, can grow up to 25 cm long, making them one of the largest slugs in the world!

It’s my second year photographing mushrooms, and while I’m improving, nailing that tack-sharp focus still eludes me. I tried my manual macro lens, but the conditions were tricky, and I just couldn’t get it right. Rather than let frustration take over, I switched to my auto macro lens and even pulled out my phone for some shots. It was liberating to stop obsessing over gear and just enjoy the experience of being outside, immersed in nature.

Did You Know?

Mushrooms are like the forest’s magical messengers. What you see popping up on logs and mossy ground is just the tip of the iceberg — the real magic happens underground! Hidden beneath your feet is a vast, thread-like network called mycelium, connecting trees and plants like a secret woodland internet. Through this “wood wide web,” trees can share nutrients, pass along warnings, and even help each other thrive. So the next time you spot a mushroom, imagine it as a little forest Wi-Fi hotspot quietly keeping the ecosystem connected.

Of course, no stormy morning adventure would be complete without a downpour. The rain caught us midway through our walk, and Finnegan was not impressed — despite looking absolutely adorable in his new yellow rain jacket. As the drops started to soak through, he gave me a very clear “I’m done” look, so we headed back to the car. Good thing we did — the skies opened up the moment we got inside.

There’s something indescribable about being in a forest in autumn as the rain begins to fall. The outside world fades away; it’s just me, my camera, the earthy scent of the forest, and Finnegan padding along beside me. I love fall — the colors, the crisp air, and the blessed absence of crowds. Out there, I can finally breathe. Maybe it’s the freshness of the air, or maybe it’s simply the quiet. Whatever it is, it feels freeing in a way few other things do.