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.