I’m excited to share some photos I captured while hiking the Bird Trail at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park! This park is home to over 200 bird species and a variety of other wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.
What made this hike special was that I joined the Audubon rangers on a patrol through the trail. Although it was an official patrol for them, it was still very much a hike for me. The trail can typically be completed in about an hour and a half at patrol speed, but my constant photo stops turned it into a much longer adventure!
One of my favorite parts of this experience was photographing the mushrooms along the trail. These fascinating fungi often go unnoticed since most visitors are focused on birdwatching—but for me, their unique beauty stole the show.
A Few Memorable Finds
The White Mushroom
This tall, bright mushroom caught my eye among the dry leaves. Its clean, white color stood out beautifully against the earthy tones of the forest floor.
The Yellow Discovery
During a quick water break, I noticed a vibrant yellow fungus just a foot away. We later found out it wasn't a mushroom. Although we couldn’t identify it, its bright yellow color made it unforgettable.
The Camouflaged Brown Mushroom
Blending perfectly into its surroundings near the roots of a tree, this brown mushroom showed off nature’s incredible camouflage.
The Glowing Mushrooms
These mushrooms looked magical as sunlight filtered through the trees, creating a glow-like effect. The play of light and shadow brought out their beauty in a mesmerizing way.
Log Mushrooms
On fallen logs, clusters of mushrooms nestled alongside dry leaves.
The Amber Log Mushrooms
These orange mushrooms were stunning against the lush green of nearby plants. Their warm tones and the vibrant greenery created an eye-catching contrast.
A New Perspective
My mushroom obsession didn’t just slow me down—it inspired the rangers too! They began snapping photos of the fungi and admitted they hadn’t paid much attention to them before. They were amazed at how stunning these mushrooms looked in their natural habitat.
So, if you ever visit the Bird Trail at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park, don’t forget to look down every now and then. While the birds are spectacular, the mushrooms add their own kind of magic to the trail!