iN PHOTOS: Vernon photographer zooms in on miniature world of mushrooms

Every autumn Vernon resident David Guscott gets down in the dirt to capture the magical world of mushrooms growing in the North Okanagan forests, and the whimsical captures give a close-up view of a miniature landscape that is otherwise easily missed.

“The mushrooms you see in the pictures are only about an inch tall, there isn’t much for scale,” he said. “I take a beat-up old yoga mat to lie on, I get very wet and dirty.”

Now in his 70s, the nature photographer has been at the trade since he was in high school. He spends the springtime capturing songbirds and the summer photographing loons and bears. The fall is all about fungi.

“It’s about following interesting things that are happening in nature’s cycle,” Guscott said. “Sometimes I go out and won’t see any mushrooms, they’re so small. I’ll put my bag down, get low and look more carefully, maybe under a leaf, and they’re there.”

Guscott often heads to the forest alone, but sometimes fellow photography friends join him.

“I think it’s a healthy hobby to have,” he said. “It keeps me busy in retirement and I’m definitely happier when I’m out in the beautiful nature we have in this area. I take pictures of these tiny mushrooms because they’re so beautiful to look at, yet with a quick glance you’d miss them.”

Go here to see more of Guscott’s photography.