Andorra Flora
At around age 10, I was gripped by the belief that tiny fairies inhabited my backyard and could be attracted like birds to suet if I made them a suitable home, complete with the most luxurious moss furnishings. Although I never met one of these fairies in person, I had a fairy pen-pal, Petal, who would write me tiny notes on scraps of paper about the animals she saw in the yard, about her satisfaction with my fairy house construction projects, and the outdoor neighborhood happenings. I ignored the fact that these notes resembled my mothers handwriting and held onto the magic for as long as I could, making wallpaper from birch bark and leaving offerings of rocks and seashells near the little cottages for Petal to find.
a perfect nook for a fairy house.
Recently I have been rediscovering parts of my childhood like these that were pushed away as I forged ahead in my teens and early twenties trying to grow up as fast as possible. Many of these rediscoveries have happened after moving to Europe. I suspect anyone that visits Andorra would be stunned by the mountains and rivers, as I was when we first arrived, but as the mountains became an every day backdrop, my vision focused on the details. A stump became the perfect fairy dance floor, lit by fireflies. Ferns became ladders to climb atop for a better view. Trumpet lichen, Cladonia fimbriata, were tiny fairy instruments waiting to be plucked up and played.
During forest walks I was pleased to see the wildflowers and mosses growing lush, hydrated by alpine streams. I found myself taking pictures of every little mushroom, lichen, and vine with an anxiety that would have me rushing back to the scene thinking, “well maybe I should take a picture of that one too” knowing full well that the next week the same plant would be a husk while a new sprout stretched out of the soil.
I suppose what I am trying to say is that am fast approaching 30 and still very much envy toadstool sitting fairies and their moss furnished cottages. This photo series is a collection of magical lichens, mushrooms, and flowers, from our trail walks in late fall. I invite you to imagine fairies amongst each image.
