It was August in Western Michigan, and I was on a mission – a mission to chronicle the vibrant tapestry of fungi that burst forth from the earth at this time of year. From the robust boletes with their meaty caps to the delicate chanterelles, each encounter was a delight.

Each twist of the path and each fallen log unveiled a new treasure – a cluster of oyster mushrooms huddled together like gossiping friends, or a lone hedgehog mushroom, its spines glistening with morning dew. With camera in hand, I documented this hidden world, marveling at the diversity of shapes, sizes, and colors that unfolded before me.

This wasn't just a collection of pictures; it was a conversation with the forest, a chance to witness the silent drama of life and decay playing out in front of me. Each was a piece of the puzzle, a step towards understanding the complex web of life that thrives in the heart of the Michigan woods.

So, join me on this journey as we delve into the world of August mushrooms. Prepare to be surprised, to be delighted, and perhaps even to be inspired to take a closer look at the wonders that carpet the forest floor, right under our very noses. After all, there's a whole hidden world waiting to be discovered, one mushroom at a time.

Frost's Bolete (Exsudoporus frostii):

Red Chanterelle (Cantharellus cinnabarinus):

Russell's Bolete (Aureoboletus russellii):

Bitter Bolete (Tylopilus felleus):

Leccinum longicurvipes:

Gyroporus borealis:

Old-Man-of-the-Woods (Strobilomyces strobilaceus):

Northern Red Belt (Fomitopsis mounceae):

Shingled Hedgehog (Sarcodon imbricatus):

Velvet-footed Pax (Tapinella atrotomentosa):

Orange Mycena (Mycena leaiana):

Shiny Cinnamon Polypore (Coltricia cinnamomea):

Orange Moss Navel (Rickenella fibula):

Fishbiscuit Russula (Russula compacta):

Orange Grisette (Amanita crocea):

Stinking Brittlegill (Russula foetens):

Lactarius psammicola:

Painted Suillus (Suillus spraguei):

Pallid Bolete (Imleria pallida):

Artist's Bracket (Ganoderma applanatum):

American Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria ssp. flavivolvata):

American Yellow Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria var. guessowii):

Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum):

White Coral Fungus (Clavulina coralloides):

Dyer's Polypore (Phaeolus schweinitzii):

Red-mouth Bolete (Boletus subvelutipes):

Chicken Fat Mushroom (Suillus americanus):

Small Funnel-Veil Amanita (Amanita multisquamosa):

Eastern Black Trumpet (Craterellus fallax):

Dog's Nose Fungus (Camarops petersii):

Cornflower Bolete (Gyroporus cyanescens):

Salmon Pinkgill (Entoloma quadratum):

Butterball (Suillus weaverae):

Beech Rooter (Oudemansiella furfuracea):

Turkey-Tail (Trametes versicolor):

Berkeley's Polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi):

Orange Gilled Waxcap (Humidicutis marginata):

Green Russula (Russula virescens):

Summer Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius):

Oakbug Milkcap (Lactarius quietus):

Sharp-scaly Pholiota (Pholiota squarrosoides):

Bog Bell (Galerina paludosa):

Zoned Tooth (Hydnellum concrescens):

Straight-stalked Entoloma (Entoloma strictius):

Ghost Chanterelle (Cantharellus phasmatis):

Leathery-veiled Bolete (Paragyrodon sphaerosporus):

Two-colored Bolete (Baorangia bicolor):

Jellied False Coral Fungus (Sebacina schweinitzii):

Crystal Brain Fungus (Myxarium nucleatum):

Brown-staining Cheese Polypore (Fuscopostia fragilis):

Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus):

Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus):

White Coral Fungus (Ramariopsis kunzei):

Brown-haired White Cup (Humaria hemisphaerica):

Deceiver (Laccaria laccata):

Bleeding Fairy Helmet (Mycena haematopus):

Poor Man's Licorice (Bulgaria inquinans):

Indigo Milk Cap (Lactarius indigo):

Violet Webcap (Cortinarius violaceus):

Surprise Webcap (Cortinarius semisanguineus):

Grey Coral Fungus (Clavulina cinerea):

Hairy Rubber Cup (Galiella rufa):

Tender Nesting Polypore (Hapalopilus rutilans):

Shoehorn Oyster (Hohenbuehelia petaloides):

Decorated Mop (Tricholomopsis decora):

Gymnopilus liquiritiae:

Rooting Polypore (Polyporus radicatus):

Orange Earthtongue (Microglossum rufum):

Crown-tipped Coral Fungus (Artomyces pyxidatus):

Ceriporia spissa:

Mountain Butter Bolete (Butyriboletus abieticola):

Golden Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus citrinopileatus):

Ink Stain Bolete (Cyanoboletus pulverulentus):

Ash-tree Bolete (Boletinellus merulioides):

Bitter Tooth (Hydnellum scabrosum):

Yellow Fairy Cups (Calycina citrina):

Neofavolus americanus:

Blue Knight (Albatrellopsis flettii):

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