These tiny clusters of beautiful brick-red fungi were found growing on a dead tree stump in Wellington County, Ontario (lots of fun guys are to be found there). The background pattern is meant to suggest the hidden, branching network of hyphae, or mycelium — root-like fibers that make up the bulk of most fungi. This piece has been exhibited in Ontario and California, and most recently in Focus on Nature XIV, one of the world’s pre-eminent exhibitions of natural science illustration. The piece is now in the permanent collection of the New York State Museum. Watercolour, graphite, casein, and acrylic, 24″h x 18″w. ©Kathryn Chorney.