These photos are just a few of the mushrooms I encountered while walking through Villa Monte Reserve. Mushrooms are merely the fruit that is born from a much larger organism called mycelium. They are the oldest and largest organisms in the world and have survived multiple catastrophic and massive extinctions in Earth’s history. This is due in part by their intelligent and intricate ability to adapt, evolve and share information! From cleaning toxic spills to curing diseases, these complex organisms are critical for our survival. Mushrooms aren’t just for making champignons á la créme! There are only a fraction of mushrooms identified and scientists believe there are millions more unidentified species!  If you are also fascinated, check out Paul Stamets, the mushroom guru.