Foray Log 66.2021- Big Meadow
Lycogala epidenrum, a Slime Mold growing on a decomposing log near the snowbank.
Foray Log- Big Meadow’s Horse Camp, June 6, 2021
Oh the swarms of mosquitoes. It was almost too much to bear as I tried to photograph the Lycogala epidenrum https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81978648 , so I paused to spray on some mosquito repellant that Andrew brought from the car. After making sure all the exposed bits were covered, I went back to the L. epidenrum and showed Andrew how they pop!
We walked around and I asked to keep a look out for some Gyromitra that I had found last year at this spot. We walked along the bays and there on the ground were two giant Gyromitra montana https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81979080 ! I had not found these yet in my year of study so this was particularly exciting. I photographed them and logged them in with a FunDiS field voucher then bagged them up in a brown wax bag and began wondering the outcrop of woods. Last year, Jordan and I had found a great patch of Donadina nigrella, and I wanted to see if there were any here this time. I never found them but instead found some small holes in the ground and began digging near them about two inches below the soil surface. Then I found it! A hypogeous fungi! https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81988467
Gyromitra montana, found just below snow level. A wonderful find!
I spent about an hour searching the forest and documenting my finds. In that time I found
Xeromphalina campanella https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81978475 growing on a log at the edge of the Hemlock forest.
Hygrophorus purpurascens https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81979548 a stunning candycane colored mushroom with a pin growing just underneath.
An interesting stump covered in an odd Polypore https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81979888
A super patch of a white mass of Myxomycete https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81978908
Some pink asparagus looking Coralloriza just before the flowers burst out of the stalks! https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81980274
An interesting group of Little Brown Mushrooms with conical caps growing out of a decaying stump https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81980429
A dried up disk-like Gyromitra growing on a bit of a fluted stipe. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/82125265 I had to get it home and look at the spores before I could say it was a Gyromitra or Helvella. Microscopy is such a useful tool to make sure we get a correct ID.
Art of the day
“Pair of Purple” -Digital Photograph by Autumn Anglin
