Fungi, Lichen & Slime Molds 3

These must be the smallest mushrooms I've seen (maybe half an inch total across all three?) - just like three tiny, dark circles growing amongst the moss on a fallen, rotting log that I was looking down on. For some very strange reason, this is one of the only photos (out of many) that came out sharp enough to post. Most were total blurs. I was thankful for this one - and especially thankful for seeing ANY kind of fungus in this poor fungi season : ) Photographed at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park a couple of days ago. It rained here overnight, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I might still see a few more before the season is completely over. Leaves are turning yellow on our trees, so very soon the forest floor will be covered with a blanket of yellow and brown that hides everything growing beneath.

I always enjoy coming across one of these tiny Marasmius (?) fungi in the forest. Haven't found all that many this fungi season, but hopefully next fall will be so much better. Macro photo taken at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park on August 20th.

I think I've identified this fungus correctly! You often find several of these fungi growing in a row or cluster on a log. Photographed (macro) at Maclean Pond, Kananaskis (off Elbow Falls Trail) on August 16th. "Gloeophyllum sepiarium is a wood decay fungus that causes a brown rot. Gloeophyllum sepiarium grow in thin, dark brown/green brackets on coniferous trees. Fruiting bodies can be seen throughout the year, but it sporulates in late summer to autumn. Gloeophyllum sepiarium is infrequent and inedible." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloeophyllum_sepiarium

Occasionally, I come across a mushroom whose cap seems to shred and crack, as in the posted image. I don't know if it is a particular species that always does this, or whether various species can do this under certain conditions. Photographed (macro) these two at Maclean Pond, off Elbow Falls Trail, Kananaskis, on August 29th.

A few of us spent several hours hiking at the Nature Conservancy land near Bragg Creek yesterday. This was our first time there. This hike was faster-paced walking than I am used to - our botanizing trips tend to be slower, but of course the wildflowers are over now. Though there really wasn't anything to photograph, we did see two or three clumps of these wonderful little shrooms - which, needless to say, made my day : ) After the hike, we all collapsed for coffee at the Cinnamon Spoon in Bragg Creek - always a treat (thanks, Aileen, for "making sure" this happened!). A few of us stopped in at a beautiful wildlife photography store/Gallery next door but one to the Cinnamon Spoon. If you are ever in Bragg Creek, do call in and stand in awe at the walls covered in incredible images. The owners are Bob and Candy Cook - wildlife lovers and photographers. www.brandedvisuals.com/ Lol, now that summer is over and fall has arrived, we are having the hottest day of the year!

This was just a very small mushroom, growing at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park yesterday. Thought the cap was rather interesting. There are so many leaves on the ground now, it's very difficult to see anything. I did manage to find a few things, though, so my three-hour hike was worthwhile. The trail I took was not my usual, shorter one, and I felt very much out of my comfort zone - not that I'm ever in my comfort zone in this park, though, lol. There were about six cars in the parking lot and several people passed me on the trail, which made quite a bit of difference. Much less chance of a Cougar or Grizzly being in the area - I think!

Found this very small fungus growing in the forest at Maclean Pond, off Elbow Falls Trail, on August 16th. It looked strange somehow - and not very photogenic, lol - and when I checked under the cap, I discovered that it had pores, not gills. I do have a photo looking right underneath, that I will try and remember to post sometime : ) Even though this macro photo was taken in August, which is supposedly the peak month here for fungi season, I think I only found two mushrooms that day. Other people from various places, have said similar things - that this has not been a good year for mushrooms. About 10 months to wait, but maybe next year will be doubly good : ) If anyone has any suggestions as to what this might be, I would appreciate it - thanks!

Usually, I like the subject in my photos to be as sharp as possible, with a blurred background if possible. Even though really there is nothing in focus in this shot - maybe just the tiniest bit of the cap's edge, with a bit of imagination - there is something I like about it. Photographed this little shroom at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park on September 17th.

This cluster of very small mushrooms was growing on the top of a tree stump right at the edge of the trail at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park, back on September 4th. Mike (Skinnybrager), this is THE clump of shrooms, lol! Now, everywhere is covered with a blanket of yellow leaves, hiding everything growing beneath. This marks the end of mushroom season till next July/August : ( Guess I need to start trying to convince myself that it's fun going out in -25C or -30C temperatures to photograph ice crystals and snow, ha. Last winter was a killer and I stayed home most of the time. They are saying that this coming winter is going to be a long, hard winter, too. Nooooo!!!