When I participated in a mushroom-foraging event at the John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary on Saturday, one of the experts showed me what's known as  bird's nest fungus.

It sure was aptly named -- and it was so small that it belonged next to a doll's house.

More on this amazing fungus here.

Headed up to the John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary in the southern Catskills last Saturday for an instant education in mushrooms courtesy of mushroom expert Barbara Plume and a 'shroom foraging event.

Perhaps it was because of the wet summer, or because we had so many eyes looking for mushrooms, but I have never seen so many -- in so many shapes and sizes. A sampling follows.

Tomorrow: The most amazing mushroom I've ever seen. By far.

I am pleased to be part of Bergen SWAN's Hackensack River Story Night next month.

The fund-raising event will feature live music, a dance recital, story telling, a walk to the river, native plants, refreshments, and a silent auction - all in celebration of the Hackensack River Watershed.

I'll be telling a short and true story about a forgotten but resilient creek in the Meadowlands. Other story tellers include George Carter, Oradell Borough Historian; Jean Epiphan, Rutgers U. Ecologist; Cynthia Forster, Bergen County Cultural & Historic Affairs; and Don Torino, Bergen County Audubon Society.

I've seen a lot of dragonflies at the Celery Farm this summer.

Can you I.D. this one?