Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: mulch

Last night, I had just started looking for a colourful image to upload today (2 November 2015) with two dull, brown shots, when I came across a folder of these Stinkhorns. Hadn't uploaded this one, so thought I'd use it. Oh, boy, we need a much brighter, more colourful image than this one this morning, because it's SNOWING! And it's settling, unfortunately. We really can't complain, though, as we have just enjoyed a wonderful fall. For years, I had wished I could see some kind of Stinkhorn fungus, partly because they make such interesting images : ) On 24 June 2012, friend Phil e-mailed to say that there were all sorts of "things" (he sent a photo) growing locally, where we had seen other fungi growing previously. After a bit of a search that evening, I found these small (this is a telemacro image and they are maybe an inch and a half to 3" in height), pink fungi that I thought must be some species of Stinkhorn. Sure enough, I searched on Google and quickly found them. Wasn't quite sure exactly which species this is, as there were photos of several similar ones. The greeny-brown slime contains the spores. Thanks to kuteram for the ID: Mutinus elegans! I really appreciated your taking the time to do this! "The young fruiting bodies are initially white and spherical or egg-shaped, partially submerged in the ground, with dimensions of 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) by 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in). As the fruit body matures, the egg ruptures and the spongy spore-bearing stalk emerges; fully grown, it may be from 1 to 15 cm (0.4 to 5.9 in) long and 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in) thick. The stalk is hollow and strongly wrinkled overall; its shape is cylindrical below, but it gradually tapers to a narrow apex with a small opening at the tip. The upper half of the stalk is bright red to reddish orange, and the color gradually loses intensity transforming into pinkish white below. The stalk may be straight, or slightly curved. A gelatinous greenish-brown gleba covers the upper third of the stalk in newly emerged specimens. The remains of the "egg" forms a volva around the base of the stalk .... Mutinus elegans is saprobic—deriving nutrients by breaking down dead or dying organic matter. It is commonly found in gardens and farm areas enriched with manure, near well-decayed stumps and logs, and in wood chips." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutinus_elegans

Thought I'd better quickly dig into my archives and find three things that are not winter scenes, owls or wildlife. Much as I love those three, I'm feeling the need for colour and something different. Recently, the main thing I have been seeing and photographing is the tiny, uncommon (in Alberta) Northern Pygmy-owl. I try to spread those photos out a little bit, but you are probably all getting weary of seeing this little guy/gal : ) Make the most of today, as I can't promise that I won't be back to the owl tomorrow or the next day, lol. For years, I had wished I could see some kind of Stinkhorn fungus, partly because they make such dramatic images : ) Friend Phil e-mailed back in June 2012 to say that there were all sorts of "things" (he sent a photo) growing locally, where we had seen other fungi growing previously (i.e. a matter of a few feet outside the edge of Fish Creek Park). After a bit of a search, on 24 June 2012, I found these small (this is a telemacro image, and they are up to maybe 3" tall), pink fungi that I thought must be some species of Stinkhorn. Sure enough, I searched on Google and quickly found them. Wasn't quite sure exactly which species this was, as there were several similar ones. Thanks to kuteram for the ID: Mutinus elegans! "The young fruiting bodies are initially white and spherical or egg-shaped, partially submerged in the ground, with dimensions of 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) by 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in). As the fruit body matures, the egg ruptures and the spongy spore-bearing stalk emerges; fully grown, it may be from 1 to 15 cm (0.4 to 5.9 in) long and 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in) thick. The stalk is hollow and strongly wrinkled overall; its shape is cylindrical below, but it gradually tapers to a narrow apex with a small opening at the tip. The upper half of the stalk is bright red to reddish orange, and the color gradually loses intensity transforming into pinkish white below. The stalk may be straight, or slightly curved. A gelatinous greenish-brown gleba covers the upper third of the stalk in newly emerged specimens. The remains of the "egg" forms a volva around the base of the stalk .... Mutinus elegans is saprobic—deriving nutrients by breaking down dead or dying organic matter. It is commonly found in gardens and farm areas enriched with manure, near well-decayed stumps and logs, and in wood chips." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutinus_elegans

Taken on 24 June 2013, right on the edge of a city park. I just love the cracked patterns on these fungi caps, each one different from the next. Wish I knew what kind they were. Before they "grow up", they are simply rounded, beige caps, that you probably wouldn't even look at twice. I did post a photo of a rather similar one a while ago, but wanted to add this one to my Fungi of Alberta 3 Set (when I've got it transferred to ipernity).

After almost a week of staying home, keeping away from the damage done by our present "Flood of the Century", I decided to drive just a few minutes away from home, to see if the mushrooms that a friend told me about a short while ago, were still there. Most were old and shrivelled, but there were still a few that were in better shape. I saw the same kind of fungi there a year ago, but I don't think I ever got an ID for them. I was amazed and, needless to say, so relieved, to see no sign in this small area of the devastating flooding. This morning, the sun is shining and the sky is blue. Looking outside, you would never guess that, for the past week, much of our city and other parts of southern Alberta have been underwater due to the horrendous "Flood of the Century". People are now left with the monumental task of cleaning all the mud from their basements and businesses. 75,000 people in Calgary were evacuated from their homes and I believe that they have now all been allowed back to them, to start on the heartbreaking task of trying to het their homes back to "normal". Incredible YOUTUBE VIDEO OF CALGARY FLOODS from Global News: youtu.be/bRS8YfVlt3Y

A friend told me about a display of fungi near Fish Creek Park last year, so of course I had to go and check it out : ) Taken on 29 June 2012, near the edge of the eastern end of the park. Wish I knew what kind of mushrooms these are - I love the patterns that form on the top surface of the caps. The look so much like some of the Easter Hot Cross Buns that I buy. Any chance that these could be Cracked-Cap Mushroom / Agrocybe dura? Apparently, they are very common in wood mulch, which fits with my photo.

I love coming across mushrooms that have split this way, almost ressembling the petals of a flower. Found growing in mulch at the edge of Fish Creek Park, on 24 June 2012.

Found this little family of fungi huddled together, growing in mulch, in the same area that I photographed the amazing Stinkhorns recently. I've no idea what kind of mushrooms these are, but I love the way they develop cracks and wrinkles as they get older - kind of sounds familiar, ha! Now, they are all just piles of dead caps and stalks, unfortunately. Any chance these might be Cracked-Cap Mushroom / Agrocybe dura?

These mushrooms start off (as seen in my last fungi photo that I posted) with very pale caps and then darken and create these wonderful patterns. They remind me of Hot Cross Buns that you can buy around Easter time : ) There were lots of this kind of mushroom on the edge of Fish Creek park at the eastern end recently, but they quite quickly dried and shrivelled up, forming most unphotogenic (if there is such a word), shapeless piles on top of the mulch. Any chance this might be Cracked-Cap Mushroom / Agrocybe dura?

This one had collapsed from its original upright position, but I thought it was still interesting to see more closely the details of the sponge-like texrure. For years, I had wished I could see some kind of Stinkhorn fungus, partly because they make such dramatic images : ) Friend Phil e-mailed a month ago to say that there were all sorts of "things" (he sent a photo) growing locally, where we had seen other fungi growing previously (i.e. a matter of a few feet outside the edge of Fish Creek Park). After a bit of a search, on 24 June 2012, I found these small (this is a telemacro image, and they are up to maybe 3" tall), pink fungi that I thought must be some species of Stinkhorn. Sure enough, I searched on Google and quickly found them. Wasn't quite sure exactly which species this is, as there were several similar ones. Thanks to kuteram for the ID: Mutinus elegans! I really appreciate your taking the time to do this!

For years, I have wished I could see some kind of Stinkhorn fungus, partly because they make such dramatic images : ) Yesterday, friend Phil e-mailed to say that there were all sorts of "things" (he sent a photo) growing locally, where we had seen other fungi growing previously. After a bit of a search yesterday evening, I found these small (this is a telemacro image and they are maybe an inch and a half to 3" in height), pink fungi that I thought must be some species of Stinkhorn. Sure enough, I searched on Google and quickly found them. Wasn't quite sure exactly which species this is, as there were several similar ones. Will have to look them up again tonight, as I am running SO late this morning - I need to get my car out of the parking lot ready for the roofers returning, which means I will have to take off for the whole day (supposedly 7:00 a,m, till 7:00 p,.m.) as still no street parking permit has arrived in the mail. Thanks to kuteram for the ID: Mutinus elegans! I really appreciate your taking the time to do this!

For years, I have wished I could see some kind of Stinkhorn fungus, partly because they make such dramatic images : ) Yesterday, friend Phil e-mailed to say that there were all sorts of "things" (he sent a photo) growing locally, where we had seen other fungi growing previously. After a bit of a search yesterday evening, I found these small (this is a telemacro image and they are maybe an inch and a half to 3" in height), pink fungi that I thought must be some species of Stinkhorn. Sure enough, I searched on Google and quickly found them. Wasn't quite sure exactly which species this is, as there were several similar ones. Later: thanks to kuteram for the ID: Mutinus elegans! I really appreciate your taking the time to do this! www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/7439845662