Black Mushrooms

As I was nearing the end of my hike around Heart Lake I came upon these black mushrooms. I have lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life and never seen black mushrooms. I did an Internet search to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I think these are sarcosoma mexicana, found in old growth conifer forests, especially around rotting wood.

Swans at Heart Lake, Fidalgo Island

I think these are swans. We have lots of snow geese that winter over too.

Heart Lake Hike, Fidalgo Island

Earlier this week I hiked around Heart Lake on Fidalgo Island. Heart Lake is the largest one in the Anacortes Community Forest Lands. The hike is an easy one of three miles with an elevation gain of 150 feet. It's a forest hike with just a few glimpses of the lake. You will see lots of trees, mosses and ferns.
You can see (and download) a map of the hike here.