Yes, a newbie here. I am more of a photographer than a scientist/botanist and need all the help I can get learning to ID what I shoot.

This seems to be a good time of year to find fungi and I am starting to do just that. I live in the USA, in Michigan.

The first thing I do when I develop an interest in something is seek out books. I looked over the recommended reading list there and was a bit disappointed by what I saw listed. Mushrooms Demystified appears to be one of the key books in this field and I am going to order that one soon. I noticed that the Audubon guide was sited as not having good keys. I do not have that one but plan on getting it because I can. I did pick up what was available at my local bookstore and that was the Simon & Schuster guide, which I see is not recommended for North American hunters.

I have another one that is really nice to explore, the Smithsonian Handbook on Mushrooms by Laessoe and Lincoff. I'm trying to decipher it but haven't been successful in identifying anything yet.

So...my first goal will be to capture images and perhaps during the winter, when the temperature is sub-zero, I can sit home and figure out what I captured.

What I think would be MOST useful for me is to find a list of the specimens I'm likely to find in my immediate area. A local nature club is sponsoring a walk through some woods in my area in a few weeks and you better believe I will be there with them. That should give me an idea where to look.

If anybody has any suggestions for me, other than to tell me to go out and hunt and take pictures (already on my agenda), please leave a comment here. I'm especially interested in feedback on other books I might try. I also plan on getting familiar with this lovely group and will learn much just from poking around and reading messages.

Thanks!

Welcome to the site Fulcanelli,

Well, I think you've already hit on the best resources.
I've been through many books, and can't say I've found any better The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms and mushrooms Mushrooms Demystified . These 2 books are bibles of hunting. They should help you identify 90% of what you find.

Mushrooms Demystified is the best resources, packed full of info. The only problem I have with it, is that I find it too big to lug around while hunting
The Audubon book is the perfect partner while hunting, tones of info and it small enough to fit into a pocket.

Your also dead on that a local resources is the best place for info on your area.

Here's a couple in your area:
The Michigan Mushroom Hunters Club - www.sph.umich.edu/~kwcee/mmhc/

West Michigan Mycological Society - dancingmac.com/wmms/

Most clubs and Mycological society get very active this time of year, so contact them soon. I've found that most areas have a yearly mushroom show, these are great for seeing what Fungi are in you are in one place.

Hope this helps. Let us know how you make out and share the pics

Thanks for the info and leads. I do not have my copy of Mushrooms Demystified yet. I'm fairly new to this field and it was photography that lead me to the fungus.

Thanks again.

Ya....Fungi are a fun subject for many photographers. Think I spend more time taking pictures of mushrooms, them I do hunting them.
The only problem is that it can expensive....macro lens and macro flashes aren't cheap