Ground Level Mushroom #1

A month into autumn I set out for one last paddle in my kayak. Before I even started a small island beckoned me to stop for one last look before winter. I beached and pulled a boat a length above the high tide mark. Agreeing it was just going to be a quick look, I omitted setting an anchor.
I wasn’t ashore 15 minutes when I came across a small patch of very interesting mushrooms, sprawling over a two square foot area. I opened the tripod and mounted the camera and began studying my subject(s), view(s), etc. I composed a couple of broad over view shots. But you probably have heard the saying, “the more you look, the more you see”. It wasn’t long before the tripod’s center column came out and I inverted it between the tripod’s legs. This always presents it’s own set of problems especially with extreme close-up shots. One of which was accessing the viewfinder in the days of film photography before LCD displays, let alone one that tilts, shifts, and swivels.
Slowly but deliberately I moved in more and more close. As I got closer and closer I needed to get lower and lower. Finally I was at a loss, I almost ready to pack things up. But, I knew I could do better. I needed to get the lens barrel level to the ground to do justice to the composition and my subject. I was so close I just couldn’t quit. I sat up on the ground and re-entered the world for the first time since I began. I thought for awhile. All I needed was a few more inches. Then it hit me, that’s about the length of my pocket knife blade. The camera was directly over a thick cushiony piece of moss. I was almost sure below that was a layer of rich dark tightly packed soil like peat and not a sandy mess. I traced out a slightly larger piece than my camera body in the moss. Marked the position of my tripod feet, and carefully removed it. I was able to slice a hunk of soil out as easy as slicing a generous piece of devils food cake, and set it aside. Carefully replaced the tripod, now the camera had plenty of leeway. I loosened the ball socket and gently lowered the center stem, before positioning myself to awkwardly approach the viewfinder.
Several small adjustments, composition was set, set the focus and aperture, stopped down the aperture checking the focus again, looked the mirror up and exposed three frames … for luck and or insurance.
I sat for a while in silent contentment. Finally pulled the tripod, righting the center column, replaced my moss topped soil plug, it fit back perfectly. Now I could get back to my “quick" look, but I realized I had better check the boat first.
Boat was still there, water was about a foot from the stern, should be alright as I walk the perimeter of the island. Well about a quarter mile and a few compositions later I rounded the north end of the island realizing gee this tide seem unusually high. Head back south now I should be able to see the boat by now, … where’s the boat ???