Pairs of pictures of Lost Pond

[urbpan]

For whatever reason, my pictures of things at Lost Pond from this morning come in pairs. Here is a group of Indian pipe flowers.


One of the things I learned when I researched this plant is that no one is really sure what pollinates it. While I was crouched to take this picture, a medium sized hairy black and yellow bee made a very quick visit. A clue perhaps, but inconclusive.


The month long rain spell we've had has been rough on the crops, but very good for slime molds. This is a myxomycete called wolf's milk.


The camera I'm using shows some textural detail I haven't seen before.


Here's another slime mold, "red raspberry slime," or Tubifera.


It was the largest mass of this organism I've ever seen.


This guy was about 3/4 of an inch long. Not huge for a spider, but pretty big among New England specimens. Fairly certain this is a purse web spider, genus Sphodros.


He wouldn't hold still for any really good pictures, but hopefully you can see his big fangs.


My friend Alex, who doesn't pretend to be a naturalist, is developing a good eye for finding creatures. She found the raspberry slime, and noticed this big female American toad hopping away.


Isn't she gorgeous!

Comments

[harebell.livejournal.com]

THAT is a great set of pictures.
I feel the need to go on a walk, now.

[wirrrn.livejournal.com]

Aww, Mygalomorph! Saw my first wild Black Wishbone Spider (Aname atra) the other day...

Slime Moulds always remind me of THE BLOB *g*

[joejack.livejournal.com]

Indian pipe is far out. A saprophytic plant!

It's supposed to grow here in BC but I haven't found any yet. A related species, called pinesap is supposed to grow in the forests here too.

[rudbekia.livejournal.com]

I've not seen Indian Pipes for years! Nice find.