Jakey here today to share the Michigan Nature Friday Finale with you! While in Michigan, the pawrents went with family on a nice hike in Hartwick Pines State Park!
Unlike the old growth Redwood Trees we have here, Hartwood Pines has pretty old growth Pine Trees. During this hike though, you'll see Mama wasn't quite as interested in the trees as usual.
You see, there had been a few days of rain and the forest was pretty thick and dark making it the perfect place for mushrooms.Well, you know Mama, like the moths and butterflies on the last Michigan NF post, the theme of this post should be Mushrooms in Michigan!!
Starting with the underside of a group of Oyster Mushrooms growing on a tree.
Hoof Tinder Fungi on a fallen tree.
Mama said when they arrived at the Lodge it was around 90F degrees. Four days later, when they took this hike, it was around 65F degrees, I guess this leaf thought Autumn was on its way!
Mama says this was the first of two baffling fungi finds!
Mama couldn't even get their identifications on the interwebs. If anyone knows what this is, please let us know in the comments. For now, we'll call it the mystery fungi #1
But wait, there's more that just mushrooms, right Mama??
Here we have a cute little toad....
...and a pretty moth!
Which brings us back to mushrooms and Mystery Fungi #2. Not so much the little orange, "eyelash cup" mushrooms surrounding it, but that big blob of fungi growing on the lichen.
Looks like...wellll, what a bear might have left in the woods, BOL!
Lastly, we have a pretty orange waxcap mushroom growing in the soggy remains of a soggy fallen log.
Thanks for joining me for a Virtual Michigan Mushroom hike through Hartwood Pines State Park(aka the Mushroom Capital of the World).
Here's wishing everyone a Fungi-Free weekend!!
