After being blown away by the soda straw stalactites, we decided it was time to head towards the car.
Just as I was ready to head away from the ledge, these caught my eye!
A closer view! I think I would name them cave fungus. However I bet there is a name but I did not find it. 🤷♀️
While we were under there, this beautiful display of roots laid against the roof!
Ok, we really were climbing back up. This limestone rock was filled with these little boring beetle sized holes. Very interesting.
The roots had caught this slab and projected it upwards!
Fossils were embedded in the rocks!
Colorful lichens found a home on this upturned stump.
Before we had even got to the grotto at the beginning of the outing, we noticed this moss. However, since it was close to the car, we decided to wait until we returned to the car…less to carry :-). So we were almost back to car and it was time to collect another moss specimen!
Studio shot!
It was quite the looker! It had red stems and the leaves twisted around the stem!
The edges of a leaf do a curl!A closer look under the compound scope at a leaf section.A stem section! So Jeanne came up with the ID as a probable Tight-tufted Thread Moss (Ptychostomum creberrimum). She says you would need the capsules to be sure. Oh darn, we will have to make a return trip 😉
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know.
6 Comments
Slab and roots is great. Wonder how long its been in the making? The “cave fungus” is too pretty. Thats a special place for sure. Cant wait for you to return.
Slab and roots is great. Wonder how long its been in the making? The “cave fungus” is too pretty. Thats a special place for sure. Cant wait for you to return.
And return we will!
Wow!! Cave slime mold?? It reminds me of the Chocolate tube slime mold, I can’t remember its proper name
Your remember-er worked fine for Chocolate tube slime mold…you nailed it. But maybe this one should be white chocolate slime mold 😉
So many great photos. Especially love the roots and the cave fungus.
Very cool place! And Thanks!