Fungi, Lichen & Slime Molds 3

Apologies to Doug for "stealing" his icon, LOL! I forgot all about posting this image - I uploaded a different shot of this brilliant orange fungus ages ago, but its background was green, I think, with trees or bushes in the background. Photographed on 14th October 2008, so just over a year ago. Doug, it will probably give you a weird feeling when you see "your icon" posted : ) Thanks to Doug for the ID, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, "Cinnabar-red Polypore". Found in Griffith Woods on 14th October 2008, just over a year ago. I did it again - why do I do it?? After a volunteer shift this afternoon, I decided to dash just southwest of the city to try and get a few sky shots, as we had a pretty good build up of cloud. Now, just a week after washing my car, it is once again covered in mud from the muddy, snowy (which I hadn't expected), gravel side roads. As often seems to happen, the sky looked more dramatic in person than in a photo - but, knowing I will have to wash my car again so soon, I will find at least one photo to upload - if it kills me, LOL!

A tiny fungus that was growing on a fallen log at Maclean Pond, off Elbow Falls Trail, Kananaskis. Photographed on 18th October last year, which was way past the end of fungi season, so I was very happy to see this.

I think this is just such a beautiful little fungus. Its cap may not be perfect, but the texture, striped pattern and sheen are amazing - for a mushroom : ) We found this tiny one and others along Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country on September 15th last year. I'm still plodding away at getting as many of my last year's fungi photos into my Fungi Sets before the new mushroom season arrives - still a long time to wait.

Came across this little cluster of mushrooms growing amongst the wood chips/mulch at the Burnsmead Birth Forest last September 21st. I went there to look for the tiny Bird's Nest Fungus, which I successfully found, to my amazement and delight.

Not sure which species of Cladonia lichen this is. This little grouping was growing at Horseshoe Canyon, August 21st last year, when a few of us spent the day botanizing the canyon. This location is in the Badlands of Alberta, east of Calgary. This is a macro shot - these Cladonia are only tiny. Later: thanks to Doug (dougwaylett) for the ID, Cladonia pyxidata, Pebbled Pixie-cup. Much appreciated! According to the Alberta Wild Species General Status Listing, 2010, the status of Cladonia pyxidata is Secure.

.... but I never would, as I no absolutely nothing about which fungi are edible and which would make me violently sick or even kill me! Some look very much alike, so it's very easy to make an incorrect ID, so I don't try. This cluster was growing at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park on August 5th last year. Just realized what these remind me of, ha ........ those very small, wholewheat Pita bread!

We came across these little Puffball beauties when we spent the day botanizing the forest on Rod Handfield's land, 17th August 2010.

These tiny, delicate mushrooms are some of my favourite kinds to try and photograph. This one was growing at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park on 7th September last year.

I'm posting today's photos at about 3:00 a.m. - because I can't sleep! So annoying, as my alarm goes off in two and a half hours ready for a day botanizing trip. Won't help at all if I'm walking all day on no, or very little sleep! I remember feeling so happy when I walked to the other side of this beautiful, lichen-covered tree, trying to photograph a tiny House Wren, and caught sight of these beautiful fungi growing around eye level : ) Photographed on 1st September 2010. Flickr friend Jim (Garnite) desperately needs all the healing vibes he can possibly get at the moment, lying in ICU in Vancouver General Hospital. We would love it if you would join in with this song that Jim loves, www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGikhmjTSZI . Sing along with it, loudly and lovingly! Jim had yet another (small) setback today, so this journey is certainly a roller coaster ride for both Jim and Linda.