Our goal this survey season was to locate more patches of the Oklahoma Grasspink (Calopogon oklahomensis). At this point we have not had any luck.
Red Chanterelles (Cantharellus cinnabarinus) were standing with the green moss!
This Red Chanterelles stood with two greens, the moss and the Pixie Cup Lichens.
When we stopped to look at Red Chanterelles we found these tiny cup fungi. The Hairy Fairy Cup (Humaria hemisphaerica). INaturalist has the boring common name as Brown-haired White Cup. Yes it was brown and hairy, but geez.
Up close!
Like beacons, more Red Chanterelles (Cantharellus cinnabarinus)!
Their thick gills go down the stem.
Indeed the baby Red Chanterelles looked like candy corn!
The Earflower Lobelia (Lobelia appendiculata) is a wispy flower. So we found them in full sun to dappled shade. We did need to be in the open for the orchid some of the time. 😉
Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis) and a Gray Hairstreak. Lots of milkweed, but I don’t recall seeing the Monarch this trip.
Gilled with a flair!
A Daddy Longlegs not wanting to deal with the human, ducked under a leaf.
A checkered legged Assassin Bug (Pselliopus cinctus) on a Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina).
The Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina) was as pretty closed with its stalked glands on the sepals.
Our last stop of the day was to check on the orchid. Well, they had pretty much finished.
It is hard enough to find them when they are blooming. Yes the three veined leaves are the orchid. However to find them at this point will be darn near impossible in the grass.
That leaves us only one thing to do, just continue to have fun! 😉
I prefer Hairy Fairy Cup. Makes me picture a winged little tinkerbell fairy trying to drink from a hairy mug. Doesn’t sound comfortable. But it is funny.
Are those an edible chanterelle?
That’s funny Kathy. Tickles them while they drink. And no idea about the Chanterelles. Plus I just go by the appearance and have not done a deep dive to confirm the ID. Might be look alikes. I only eat fungus from the store. ☺️
Enjoyed the article on Diana Wall and her studies of soil biodiversity and nematodes – had not heard of her or her efforts before.
Next year we WILL find more orchids! We will have fun looking at any rate!
She sounded like a big contributor to science. And yes there is next year!!
The red shrooms are striking. We need that plastic NOW.
For sure!
I prefer Hairy Fairy Cup. Makes me picture a winged little tinkerbell fairy trying to drink from a hairy mug. Doesn’t sound comfortable. But it is funny.
Are those an edible chanterelle?
Yes to Hairy Fairy Cup! iNat is a wet blanket. Those chanterelles are gorgeous!
Suzanne I saw you went out with Jeff. Great finds!
Jeff knows where to look!
Indeed!
That’s funny Kathy. Tickles them while they drink. And no idea about the Chanterelles. Plus I just go by the appearance and have not done a deep dive to confirm the ID. Might be look alikes. I only eat fungus from the store. ☺️
I’m late to commenting but I’m glad you had such a glorious and fungus filled hunt for the grass pink orchids.
So you are late…LOL. And yes it was a very fun and productive spring survey season!