Mushrooms and Ovenbird

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Orange Jelly Fungi (May 30, 2009)

We received 10 inches of rain in May which has made the woods very damp---perfect for mushrooms. I found this orange jelly several times in the winter but never as vibrant as this. With the woods so green and dark from the clouds, the orange color really stood out.


Shelf Fungi (May 30, 2009)

This shelf mushroom which I cannot identify is probably the same one I see later in the summer but then it is beige color.


This closer view shows just how fresh the mushroom is. Wonder if it's edible?


Ovenbird (May 30, 2009)

On the same walk, I spotted an ovenbird who appeared to be trying to get me away from its nest. I looked for it--supposed to look like an oven on the ground. I gave up after a little while, seeing how upset she was. The photo is a little blurred--she was going quickly from branch to branch.

I appreciate any corrections on the identifications.

Mystery Solved: Pulcherricium caeruleum

Thanks to Pam for searching the internet to find a couple of websites that identify my blue mold I wrote and pasted photos of in my previous post. It's Pulcherricium caeruleum, a blue fungus that grows underneath logs. According to this University of Wisconsin website, this fungi is one of over 100 fungi species that live on the underside of logs. Pulcherricuym means "most beautiful" and caeruleum means "blue." Actually, when I first looked at the color, I thought it reminded me of a watercolor pigment which is named "Cerrulean Blue." Another website she listed had a photo almost exactly like mine, not too surprising since the fungus was also on a poplar log.

This is why I appreciate the nature blog community so much. Nina identified an unknown shrub in an earlier post. It was Japanese barberry, an alien shrub. Earlier this year, Owlman identified a bird's nest as probably made by a chipping sparrow. That led me to my field guide to confirm it. Posting and reading posts help me to learn more about the natural world around me. Thanks to all of you.

Electric Blue Mold or Lichen?

The other day I went up in the woods looking for kindling for the woodstove and found this small poplar log (about 4 inches in diameter). When I turned it over, I was surprised to see this brightly-colored blue mold.


Here's another view of the log. Not sure if it's a lichen, algae or mold.


And another close up showing some other lichen and white mold.

Maybe there are some fungi experts out there who can help identify it. For now, I will enjoy the lovely color.