Because the weather was so much improved, I decided to hit the trails. It's been quite some time since I walked the Peninsula Trail, so that was my destination...
...by way of the parking lot (I had to get my tripod from the car). While in the parking lot, I decided to photograph a couple of the plants in the planter.
First up, we have common mullein (Verbascum thapsis). Not native, this tall spike of a plant is found in many of our "waste" areas. This one volunteered itself in our planter.
A syrphid fly was busily eating pollen.
A butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) also volunteered here. It is one of my favorite plants, probably because of its brilliant orange color.
The following are random images from various parts of the trails, in no particular order.
Polypody Fern
Shinleaf Pyrola (P. elliptica)
Rattlenake Plantain was just getting started.
I believe it's Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens).
Although the leaves seem rather less decorative than usual.
St. Johnswort was a surprise, but it found a gap in
the trees and was doing very well.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentails) is only juuuust starting to bloom.
Dewdrop (Dalibarda repens) was blooming in profusion.
The roof of the gazebo is a hotbed of lichens!
Lichens on a rock.
Is this a rather revolting-looking mess or what? It looks like something vomited on the rock. They are, I believe, lichens, though.
It was a great day for mushrooms, too. We've had 3/4" of rain in the last two nights, so the mushrooms are thriving. My mushroom book is at home, though, so ID is limited until I get a chance to look 'em up.
Although I'm pretty sure these are lacquered polypores. There was a whole line of them next to the trail.
I suspect they are growing on the decayed remains of a log.
I loved the shape of this one.
Had to take it's picutre twice!
And this one was just so colorful!
Did someone have a snack?
And another snack?
This is probably an amanita. Such a beautiful yellow.
And this is why many mushrooms look mangled.It's a regular slugfest under there!
These little yellow fungi were just pushing out of the ground.Next week I'll go out on the Sucker Brook and Sage Trails and see what's blooming/growing there.
I never thought I would say this about a fungus, but, that lacquered polypore is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteJust one amazing photo after another! Love that slimy lichen! We seem to be seeing many of the same flies and plants, as you'll see when you check my blog. By the way, do you think that Rattlesnake Plantain could be the Checkered RP? The leaves are so small and flat to the ground and their veining is faint, like that of the species I mentioned. And which I found blooming today in Ballston Spa. I saw the Downy RP two days ago at Bog Meadow, and the flower stalks were still tight, no blooms.
ReplyDeleteI am always in awe of your wildflower identification skills. The lichens and fungus photos are cool. The one labelled "And another snack?" looks like some sort of fanged creature!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, some great shots here. I like the new template, too!
ReplyDeleteNice photos and I love the new look of your blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the spiky plant in the picture labeled Shinleaf Pyrola?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - that's one of the clubmosses, which aren't true mosses, but that's what they are called. This one is shining clubmoss, Lycopodium lucidulum (aka Huperzia lucidula).
ReplyDelete