When I conceived of The Clearing, it didn’t occur to me that my photography would so quickly become a focus (ha). I had a plan in my head that revolved around science and nature in the form of stories and facts with photos playing a supporting role. But then I posted a couple of notes highlighting my favorite shots and got some really heartening feedback. I’ve decided to give photography a larger role in The Clearing and will start sharing some gallery-style posts of my photos in addition to my other content. I am really grateful because I feel like I’ve finally found some community after many years of wandering unseen on other platforms, so genuine thanks to those who have liked, commented, followed and subscribed, it means more than you know.
Mushrooms are goddamn magical. I literally feel an adrenaline rush when I find a new, glorious specimen to capture. I actually didn’t realize I already had so many mushroom photos in my portfolio, but turns out many of my favorite shots are in this category! I hope you enjoy…
I took these photos of a Violet Coral Mushroom cluster in a New England cemetery. I was so awestruck by the color and truly felt like I had come across treasure:
Violet Coral Mushroom by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved
Another coral mushroom! I believe this is Yellow-Tipped Coral, but please correct me if you know I’m wrong. This gorgeous cluster popped up on a friend’s property after a stretch of humidity and rain:
Yellow-Tipped Coral Mushroom by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved
More from my favorite old cemetery (actually most of these are) - a few shots of some stunning American Fly Agaric mushrooms:
American Fly Agaric Mushroom by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved 
American Fly Agaric Mushrooms by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved 
American Fly Agaric Mushroom by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved 
American Fly Agaric Mushrooms by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved 4. Cemetery again! A cutie-cluster of Earthball Mushrooms:
Earthball Mushrooms by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved 
Earthball Mushrooms by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved 5. Another one from my friend’s property, I believe it’s some variety of Bolete Mushroom, please comment if you know which it is!
Bolete Mushroom by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved 6. I took a walk on a trail at the local university campus and spotted this amazing cluster of Easter Jack-o-Lantern mushrooms. This was my first real photography outing in several years and I am not exaggerating when I tell you I got choked up after this find. I thought the rush and satisfaction of taking a special photo was lost to me long ago, but I was wrong. It’s part of who I am.
Easter Jack-O-Lantern Mushrooms by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved 7. Finally, my most recent shots. Again, not sure of the exact type, but seems to be a variety of Laccaria Mushrooms. We found them growing between our fabric-pot herb garden after some rainy days. The slugs and isopods were really enjoying them!
Laccaria Mushroom by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved 
Laccaria Mushroom by Meadow Miles - all rights reserved Please let me know if you’d like to see more posts like this in the future - if so I will be making them a regular thing as bonus content for subscribers. Thanks for looking!
Stunning photos!!
Definitely not a fungus expert, I never knew that mushrooms could be as colourful as flowers! Amazing.