Puff puff and be free
The last part of Tuesday’s grassland hike…
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_07912Bunit2B312B2Bunk2Bplant2Bin2Bcreek2BRanunculus2Bsceleratus2Bmaybe.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Several of these plants were by the creek’s edge. I think it is probably Cursed Crowfoot or Celery-leaved Buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) by the shape of its leaves.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08182Bunit2B312Bthick2Bshelf2Bfungus2Bon2Bfallen2Bdead2Btree.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Wow, the shelf fungus on this downed tree was amazingly crowded.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08262Bunit2B312BWasp2Bnest2Bslime2Bmold2BMetatrichia2Bvesparia.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Wasp nest slime mold (Metatrichia vesparia) is tiny, but worth the look.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08342Bunit2B312BTurban2BLichen2BCladonia2Bpeziziformis.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Turban lichen (Cladonia peziziformis).
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_07622Bunit2B312Bdead2Bhollow2Btree2Bwhy2Bstill2Bstanding.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Not sure how the snag was still standing.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08412Bunit2B312Blarge2Bshelf2Bfungus2Bconk2B82Binches.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Huge fungus. It was probably 8 inches across.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08142Bunit2B312Broots2Bhanging2Bin2Bbank2Bcut2Bin2Bcreek2Bbed.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Hanging roots and the bank carved out 3-4 feet behind the roots.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08152Bunit2B312Blimestone2Bgnarlly2Brock2Bin2Bcreek2Bbed.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Limestone rocks in creek.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08172Bunit2B312Borange2Balgae2Bin2Bcreek.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Some sorta orange stuff in the creek. I think it might be something called iron-oxidizing bacteria. Even it is not this article is interesting:
I did see some oily-looking sheen about in the creek which is consist with iron-oxidizing bacteria. Glad it means the creek is healthy!
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_07642Bunit2B312Bfringed2Bold2Bshelf2Bfungus2Bmushrooms.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
These shelf fungi were sure ragged.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08022Bunit2B312Bmaidenhair2Bfern2Bdead.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Maidenhair fern that was mostly dried up.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08302Bunit2B312Bgreenbriar2Breally2Bprickly.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Greenbriar. Ouch!
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08482Bunit2B312Bflat2Bpuffball2Bfungus2Bpurple2Bunderside.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Flat puffball.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08502Bunit2B312Bflat2Bpuffball2Bfungus2Bpurple2Bunderside.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
The underside was this nice purple.
It took a little persuasion to get the purple spores to puff out.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_08112Bunit2B312Bsmall2Bpuffball2Bmushrooms2Bshort2Bstem2Bcreek2Bbank.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Cool small puffballs on the creek bank.
Puff puff and be free!
Article:
Love that shaggy shelf fungi. And arent puffballs fun? Thanks for great pics.
That is a very interesting piece about the iron-oxidizing bacteria! Thank you for adding the extra tags to accompany your great photos!
Anonymous, Puffballs are like the bubble wrap, I can't resist making them puff or pop.
Suzanne, Next time I see some of the iron-oxidizing bacteria I need to collect it and look at it under the scope. I'm a lazy blogger so the tags are easier LOL and they have already done the work. And your welcome.
Love the spider article too!