Polypores

bracketing white birch

turkey tail and tinder conk

– dead wood is alive

Notes: I always admire shelf fungi (polypores), especially in the winter. They bring colour to what is sometimes a more drab or tonal landscape. Whether the orange and brown rings of turkey tail fungi, or the yellow or cream shades found on hoof fungi (also called Tinder fungi, or Tinder conks). In summer I like to look on the undersides of shelf fungi to see what little critters may be found. Small beetles, or slugs, or perhaps fly larvae. They are full of life. And, of course, they thrive and grow even when their host (trees) are dying and dead. There is so much beauty in that. The artwork above was done many months ago because I am in a creative slump right now. For whatever reason, I can’t get the energy or interest in doing art these days. It might have something to do with the time of year – winter can feel really long in late February. Or perhaps it’s just part of the normal ups and downs of creative pursuits. These cycles, like the seasons, are common for me. I will get the energy back, no doubt, but for now it is what it is.

© Christopher M Buddle 2023