Rod Handfield's

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

This was a rather fine fungus growing on a tree trunk in the forest on Rod Handfield's property. This is south of the city, near Millarville. I was lucky enough to go on 13th August as well as on a return visit yesterday. Unfortunately, this beautiful fungus had "died" by the time we went back yesterday. Sorry you were too late, Doug. Probably Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus. (Note to self: placed on my map for just the general Millarville area, as I don't know the exact address.)

A supermacro of a little Saddle fungus, found when a few of us spent the day botanizing Rod Handfield's acreage, south west of the city. What a wonderful forest to explore! (VERY approximate location marked on my map). Got home about half an hour ago after a long day east of the city, in the amazing Alberta Badlands area. Six of us climbed down into Horseshoe Canyon to do another botanizing day of the hillsides and canyon floor. This area is about an hour and forty-five minutes' drive from the city. A really pleasant day, warming up later on. I prefer the cooler temperatures, though, especially when walking/hiking. The smoke haze from BC wasn't really noticeable down in the canyon, but on the drive from and back to the city, visibility was greatly reduced. Thanks so much, Stephen, for driving today - I appreciate it so much. And now, as usual, I feel dead beat and oh, so tired, LOL. I had to set my alarm for 4:40 a.m. and I got back home at 6:15 p.m..

From what I remember, I would say that this image is about life-size. I don't come across these Comb Tooth fungi very often, though we have seen several recently. They really are beautiful - with their cascades of gorgeous icicle-like spines. This one was growing on Rod Handfield's property, which several of us botanized again for the day on 17th August. Apparently, these fungi are edlible - BUT the usual rule applies, do NOT eat any fungus unless you are an expert and know for sure what you are looking at. (I've attempted to place my photo on my map, but can't guarantee how accurately I've located Rod's place.) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hericium

In reality, this is just one very small flower on a stem full of similar flowers. I love seeing the tiny fringe when seen close up. This Northern Gentian, also called Felwort, is one of several native, wild Gentians that grow in Alberta. Seen on a day of botanizing yesterday, south of the city on Rod Handfield's acreage. What a gorgeous place to walk, through the forest, eyes down to catch every fungus - and to notice all the hundreds of fallen logs and branches that lie in wait to trip you, LOL.

LOL, not a very inspiring photo, but I was fascinated when I saw the pattern on these extremely tiny slime molds,with their "weak and prostrate" stalks (thanks, Doug!). I would never find slime molds like this on my own. So many of them look no more than a very small, coloured "brush-stroke" on a rotting log. However, when I happen to be following the footsteps of friend, Doug (dougwaylett), I know I can be so lucky. I just don't know how he finds them, LOL. This is a supermacro of this almost-invisible-to-the-naked-eye slime mold. Seen on Rod Handfield's acreage, near Millarville, south west of Calgary. Thanks to Doug (dougwaylett) for the ID: Badhamia utricularis!

When a friend bent over to check on this partly-hidden mushroom, I realized just what it was! It is very rare that we come across one of these Amanitas, and it's so exciting and such a treat when we do! Isn't it beautiful and amazing? Of course, it's just a "fungi nut" talking, LOL. This is a zoomed-in shot, so it was only small in reality. Seen when we were botanizing Rod Handfield's acreage, near Millarville, south west of the city, on 17th August. Smoke haze from the BC fires is pretty bad in Calgary again today.

Not sure if these are Coprinus, but I just like the way the cap edges curl up and over. Could these be Coprinopsis atramentaria? Seen at the Handfield's acreage, south of the city, on 17th August. We had heavy rain AGAIN, overnight - surely this has to keep the mushrooms a-coming? We saw a handful of beautiful Shaggy Manes/Inky Caps yesterday, on a walk at Clearwater Park. Yet another dull day today, so I guess I will stay home. Feel sorry for anyone hoping to spend some time outdoors this long weekend. Hoping for sunshine tomorrow : ) (Note: very approximate location on map, as I don't have the exact address). I am SO stressed out - trying to renew my Pro Account for yet another year (my fifth). I've e-mailed for help about it, and got an automated reply. Checked various things and can't for the life of me see what else I need to do!!!! I have wasted so much time the last few days, trying to get my payment made. Getting really annoyed about this and very concerned that it will mess up my photostream. Any suggestions, anyone? Guess I should have added this paragraph when I actually uploaded my photo, not when you had all left your kind comments .... sigh. Later, half past midnight - thank goodness, at long last, I've managed to renew my Fickr Pro Account. What an absolute pain this has been the last few days! I ended up signing for a two-year renewal. Thought I would click on 2-year to see if it might work that way and it did, for whatever reason. Now I can avoid having to go through all this hassle again in a year's time!!

Such a poor quality photo, though I tried so hard to get even one photo that I could use. Looking up at the light in the dark woods just doesn't work with my little camera. However, I just HAD to post this, as proof of where some of the mushrooms that I search for disappear to, LOL. It just made me smile so much when I saw this little Red Squirrel high up in the tree, on Rod Handfield's acreage, nibbling around the edge of the mushroom cap. Apparently, squirrels do eat mushrooms (and plants, and bulbs), that may be poisonous to humans. This is due partly to their short digestive tract, which seems able to handle these compounds. Love the way his little hands are holding on to his precious meal.