Eyelash fungus

These tiny Eyelash fungi were growing on the end of a broken branch lying on the forest floor at Rod Handfield's acreage, near Millarville, south of Calgary. Actually this one was a fair size for an Eyelash fungus, maybe an eigth of an inch - even so, this is a macro shot. "These eyelashes are the most distinctive feature and are easily visible with a magnifying glass. The species is common in North America and Europe, and has been recorded on every continent." I love anything that is bright orange and grows deep in the forest : )

Finally managed to squeeze in a very short visit to the Zoo this afternoon - can't believe how hard it has been to find a free bit of time when the sun has also been shining. Actually, big mistake, really, as the sun was much too bright (or maybe that's only because we've barely seen it this summer!). Also windy when I got there, not to mention that the place was packed. The butterfly room was crazy with kids everywhere, all trying to catch the poor butterflies (hmm!). Came home with a lot of blown-out, blurry shots plus just a few that are uploadable, LOL. Back-to-school can't be far away?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutellinia_scutellata