August 4, 2026

Going through photos from long ago this afternoon. One bunch brought back many fond memories of going to Stellafane, an astronomy convention held on Breezy Hilll, at Springfield, Vermont. I attended Stellafane for almost 20 years, and needless to say, it was great fun. Looking through a wide variety of telescopes in mid-August for several nights in a row. This year is going to be their 90th convention.

The one image that captured great memories was not a night shot, but is from a hike in the woods. After all, you need something to do in the daytime as well. On this particular hike I came upon this cluster of mushrooms, Macropsalliota americana, to be exact.

This mushroom can be found in many areas of North America though it is most common east of the Rocky Mountains. It feeds on dead or decaying matter, such as sawdust, wood chips and stumps.

The picture makes me think of a momma hen with her little chicks.

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