Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Bearberry Prairie Natural Area

This beautifully coloured fungus (a very coarse polypore) was growing on a branch at the Bearberry Prairie Natural Area or the adjoining Sundre Natural Area, on 13th August. Added on 13th December 2010: many thanks to Harvey Medland who suggested Polyporus Alveolaris for the ID. Actually, I've just noticed botany friend, Doug, who took photos of the same specimen, had given a similar ID - Polyporus Alveolaris s. lato. Thanks to both of you : )

Sometimes, the underside of a mushroom or a polypore is even more beautiful than the topside. This one has a coarse structure. Seen on August 13th either at the Bearberry Prairie Natural Area or adjoining Sundre Natural Area. Added on 13th December 2010: many thanks to Harvey Medland who suggested Polyporus Alveolaris for the ID. Actually, I've just noticed botany friend, Doug, who took photos of the same specimen, had given a similar ID - Polyporus Alveolaris s. lato. Thanks to both of you : )

During a full-day botanizing outing yesterday at Bearberry Prairie Natural Area and Sundre Natural Area, I spotted this rather fine Western/Boreal Toad. "The Western Toad or Boreal Toad (Bufo boreas) is a large toad species, between 5.6 and 13 cm long, of western North America. It has a white or cream dorsal stripe, and is dusky gray or greenish dorsally with skin glands concentrated within the dark blotches. Compared to females, males have smoother skin, reduced dorsal blotching, and nuptial pads (thickened skin) on their forefeet during breeding season. In juveniles of this species, the dorsal stripe is weak or absent. Large young have prominent dorsal and ventral spotting and yellow feet. Breeding occurs between March and July in mountainous areas, and as early as January in lower-elevation regions. The female lays up to 17,000 eggs stuck together in strings that adhere to vegetation and other objects along water edges ..... It is listed as near threatened largely due to the impact of disease and chemical contamination of the environment." From Wikipedia.

Towards the end of our botanizing walk at the Bearberry Prairie Natural Area/Sundre Natural Area four days ago, friend Doug handed me this broken mushroom to photograph. Definitely past its prime, but I don't remember seeing a fungi like this one before : ) It had been growing in moss and grass. ID provided by Doug Waylett - thanks! Wooly Inky Cap, Coprinus lagopus.