Lost Pond Mushrooms

[urbpan]

We went to Lost Pond Reservation again today, and I collected some more mushrooms for spore prints, including this lovely Russula (or one just like it).



There wasn't as much nice fall color as there was yesterday in Cutler Park, but there was some, like this vibrant poison ivy.


Most of the mushrooms we found were of the l.b.m. variety.


They lurked under logs, discreetly dispersing spores.


Some so tiny they barely peeked past the mats of moss.




Three pigskin earthballs, sometimes called pigskin poison puffballs by cautious mushroomers, crowd around a birch root. This fungus grows symbiotically with the roots of trees.


Charlie got a quick swim in, possibly his last before spring.


A few insects are still active, notably dragonflies, several of which seemed to be attracted to Alex' red shirt.


These little guys were barely visible on the forest floor, but given their own frame they are quite handsome subjects.


It's worth being on my hands and knees in the mud to see these creatures close up.