I definitely had to go to the grasslands yesterday afternoon. Furthermore, the weather couldn’t have been more perfect and that is why I had to! So I had two goals. One, stay out of the mud. Second, was to see if the Blue Funnel-lily’s (Androstephium caeruleum) leaves might be sprouting.
First stop. The capsules were both new and old in this mound. This moss was an acrocarpous moss. I am not sure what species, but getting it to the type would be the first step for identification. Acrocarps sporophytes (the capsules part) emerge from the tips of the plant. Most acrocarps are erect, tufted, and sparely branched. Additionally, they grow tighter together and look more like a pincushion. According to a moss garden blog, the acrocarps grows slower. Pleurocapous mosses, on the hand, it said grow faster. Also unlike the acrocarps, the pleurocarps’ sporophytes emerge off the side of branches.
Phaeophyscia ciliata lichen that has no common name. You got to love the tiny hairs on the edges called cilia. This is a very tiny lichen. The orange apothecium (orange disk thing) is Goldeye Lichen (Teloschistes exilis). The Goldeye will get shrubby-like and tower over this species of foliose lichen.
A few steps further a cow patty had the cool Bird’s Nest fungi! So besides, turning them over to look for critters, make sure you look on top!
Only one “egg” left! Inside each “egg” are millions of spores. The “eggs” (peridioles) leave the nest (peridium) when water splashes them out. Indeed, the recent rains did their job. Sometimes, they are called splash cup fungi too.
Do you recognize these?
Another hint! By now you can tell they are teeth.
The whole lower set! The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)!
Maybe the vertebra to the deer? It was close by.
So far I had managed to stay out the mud. The Blue Funnel-lilies location was still further down the path. More tomorrow. 🙂
Finally, a morning update.
First, the Tiny Bluet (Houstonia pusilla) has started blooming!
Also the Whitlow-wort (Draba cuneifolia)!
Last but certainly not the least news, a pair of Black Vultures were eyeing the House of Edgar (old well house)! All in all it is looking promising.
I saw the article about giraffes and decided they were right. I really didnt want to know. Love the birds nest. And im betting those are Edgars parents and they will nest same place as last year.
We might go look for comet tomorrow!
I looked last night (11th) and could not find the comet. Perhaps I will again tonight with scope.
I saw the article about giraffes and decided they were right. I really didnt want to know. Love the birds nest. And im betting those are Edgars parents and they will nest same place as last year.
I warned you, they warned you, but neither of could resist…ha ha ha!
I have heard the Draba and Houstonia are blooming down here too. I don’t have them on my place, probably because of deer and cattle 🙁
Drats, you are missing out. 😏