These are among the largest (yes, largest) of the Bird's Nest fungi I have personally seen (ball point pen for comparison). I discovered them today among the debris beached by the Nisqually River during the massive floods of 2006. The wood on which they were growing has been exposed to bright sunlight, snow, rain, prolonged periods of dryness and just about anything else the weather could throw at these tiny fungi, yet they remain indomitable, their peridioles poised to create a new colony wherever they might fall. In looking over the landscape of river rock and bleached wood, one might have taken the scene for lifeless but for the few pioneer plants poking up between stones, yet at my feet was a wondrous, microcosmic world of life, colored like its surroundings. It made me wonder what people miss by looking only at the broader view.
365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Bird's Nest Fungi
These are among the largest (yes, largest) of the Bird's Nest fungi I have personally seen (ball point pen for comparison). I discovered them today among the debris beached by the Nisqually River during the massive floods of 2006. The wood on which they were growing has been exposed to bright sunlight, snow, rain, prolonged periods of dryness and just about anything else the weather could throw at these tiny fungi, yet they remain indomitable, their peridioles poised to create a new colony wherever they might fall. In looking over the landscape of river rock and bleached wood, one might have taken the scene for lifeless but for the few pioneer plants poking up between stones, yet at my feet was a wondrous, microcosmic world of life, colored like its surroundings. It made me wonder what people miss by looking only at the broader view.
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What a phenom!! I agree....once a persons' eye is trained to be alert all around, then we can see all around.....even for the tiniest of creations. Wonderful discovery!
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