Things I’ve Seen
July 4, 2020 by New Hampshire Garden Solutions
With the moderate drought we’re in I haven’t expected to see any fungi so I was surprised to see these little beauties popping up out of an old hay bale. From what I’ve read I believe they are wooly ink cap fungi (Coprinus lagopus.)
The wooly part of the name comes from the way the fungus is covered in “wool” as it comes out of the ground and because of the fuzzy stem, which can be seen here. The stem is hollow and very fragile, seeming to disappear at the slightest pressure from fingers. I love the color of the cap and gills but they seem, from what I saw these examples do, to change color as they age. And they age fast; this little mushroom goes through its entire above ground life cycle in just a day. By the end of this day these were black.
These mushrooms seem to just melt away as their spore bearing gills turn to “ink.” I’m not sure why this one looked so wet, because it was a dry day. Maybe the whole thing was turning to liquid.
The next day more mushrooms appeared from the same bale of hay, but this time they were wearing black and white. I wonder if the early morning, shaded light had something to do with the colors seen in the first three photos. This one was taken in full sun. I’ve seen them in both colors in online photos.
I saw a big bolete which had grown out of the side of an embankment, only to have gravity pull it downward. I think it might be the ruby bolete (Hortiboletus rubellus) but there are many that look alike and I’m not a mushroom expert. Had I checked to see if it turned blue when it was bruised I would have known for sure but I didn’t want to eat it, I just wanted to admire it.
I’ve heard from quite a few sources that hemlock varnish shelf (Ganoderma tsugae) growth seems to be exploding this year, for reasons unknown. People are seeing them everywhere and as this hemlock log shows, so am I. It is closely related to the Reishi mushroom found in China. That mushroom is considered the most important of all the herbs and substances used in Chinese Herbal Medicine, including ginseng and scientists around the world are researching its anti-cancer potential. I’m guessing this could be a valuable log; I stopped counting mushrooms at ten, and some were quite big.
Nature can show the brightest colors in the oddest places and I always wonder why. What benefit can this stalked bracket fungus gain from all of that color? Do the colors relate to the minerals it is absorbing from this old hemlock log? And why do the colors change over time?
Wooly oak galls are created by the wool sower gall wasp (Callirhytis seminator) and are about the size of a ping pong ball, but “felt covered” like a tennis ball. The gall is caused by secretions from the grubs of the gall wasp, which will only build it on white oak and only in spring. There are small seed like structures inside the gall which contain the wasp larva, and that’s why these galls are also called oak seed galls. They are a great help when searching for white oak trees. We have mostly red oaks here so I don’t see many of these.
I’m always amazed by the colors on the inner bark of trees. I’ve seen red, orange, yellow, and even blue. This photo shows the inner bark of an old gray birch, which had fallen off. I liked the patterns as well as the colors. Things like this always make me wonder why the most beautiful parts of a tree are sometimes hidden away where nobody can see them.
I also liked the pattern the leaves of this Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum) made. I often see this beautiful little fern in gardens.
Meadow spike moss (Selaginella apoda) has plenty of new growth so I’m guessing it doesn’t mind dryness, even though I’ve read that it prefers moist soil. Spike mosses are considered “primitive” seedless (spore bearing) vascular plants and therefore aren’t mosses at all. This pretty little plant is more closely related to the clubmosses, which are also spore bearing vascular plants known as lycopods. It doesn’t appear to be evergreen like the clubmosses however. It’s a pretty little thing which is native to the eastern and midwestern U.S. but its cousins grow all over the world in every continent except Antarctica. The acorn in the upper right will give some idea of scale.
The male flowers of eastern white pine trees (Pinus strobus) are called pollen cones because that’s what they produce. Pine trees are wind pollinated and great clouds of pollen make it look like the trees are burning and releasing yellow green smoke each spring. Virtually everything gets dusted with pollen; cars, buildings, and even entire lakes and ponds. If you live near pine trees it’s impossible not to breathe some of it in and if you leave your windows open you’ll be doing some house dusting in the near future. Pine pollen is a strong antioxidant and it has been used medicinally around the world for thousands of years. Its health benefits were first written of in China nearly 5000 years ago and they are said to be numerous.
The red fruits of the red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa,) are usually hard to find because the birds eat them as soon as they ripen, but for the first time I found a bush full of them. Why the birds left these alone is a mystery. The berries are said to be toxic but they were cooked and eaten by Native Americans so I’m sure they knew how to cook them in such a way as to remove the toxicity. They also used them medicinally. Red elderberry is one of two elderberries native to New Hampshire. The other is the common or black elderberry (Sambucus nigra V. canadensis) which has black berries and isn’t toxic.
I saw a little brown bird dancing on the rocks at the river. It would hop from one to the other and back again, staring at me the entire time. It was easy to love and I wished I could have it land in my hand. I’ve had gray squirrels eat from my hand but not birds. Not yet.
I think the bird was a song sparrow but I’m not sure of that. Long time readers of this blog know that I’m not a bird person due to colorblindness, so maybe someone out there better versed in birds knows for sure. Whatever its name it was a cute little thing that seemed to be smiling. It also seemed to be trying to distract me with its cute hopping back and forth and I wondered if it might have a nest nearby that it was hoping I didn’t see.
A mother turtle, which I believe is a painted turtle (Chrysemys picta,) was laying eggs on a lawn, quite a while after the snapping turtles had finished. She pulled her head into her shell when she saw me, but didn’t move. Snapping turtles can’t pull their head in as far as painted turtles but they do have long necks and can surprise people when they suddenly extend them.
One day I went to the shore of Halfmoon Pond in Hancock and found the entire shoreline moving with what I thought were dark colored insects; crickets maybe, but when I looked closer I found that they were tiny baby toads, so small that one of them could fit on the nail of my little finger with room to spare. Many thousands of them swarmed over the shoreline but that isn’t the strangest part of the story; the same thing is happening in other places. Saratoga Springs New York for instance, has seen the same thing happen and you can see excellent photos and even a video at the Saratoga Woods and Waterways blog, by clicking here. I can’t guess what caused such a mass hatching of toads, maybe it happens regularly, but in any event I would guess that fish, snapping turtles and herons will be eating well this year.
This red spotted purple butterfly ( Limenitis arthemis astyanax) landed on the damp sand in front of me and let me take a few photos. The white admiral and red spotted purple are essentially different forms of the same butterfly. I think the deep coloration of this one suffered some in this shot because of the harsh sunlight.
I see pale beauty moths fairly regularly but they are usually resting on leaves, not sand as this one was. it was actually on a beach at a pond. Their wings and body are pale greenish to grayish white and the female, which I think this example is, is said to be much larger than the male. The caterpillars are said to feed on the leaves of 65 species of trees and shrubs including alder, ash, basswood, beech, birch, blueberry, cherry, fir, elm, hemlock, maple, oak, pine, poplar, rose, spruce, larch, and willow. They’re supposed to be nocturnal but I often see them in daylight. Usually in the evening or early morning though. I’m not sure I could think of a name any more beautiful than pale beauty moth.
I felt something hit me in the back and when I saw what it was I could hardly believe my eyes, because it had really big eyes. Actually the eyed click beetle’s (Alaus oculatus) “eyes” are really just eye spots, there to mesmerize and confound predators. They certainly had me mesmerized for a bit. This unusual insect can snap a spine hidden under its thorax and make a clicking sound. It can also use that spine to launch itself into the air, which is apparently what it did before it hit me in the back. In this photo it has hidden its legs and antennae under its body. At about an inch and a half long it may be a mid-size beetle but it has quite a big bag of tricks.
Here we are looking at the eyed click beetle’s eye spots. If I was a predator I’d think twice, and by the time I had made a decision this bug would have most likely clicked its spine and would be sailing through the air, getting away. What a great gift is this life we live; from dust to dust nothing but wonders and miracles. How sad I feel sometimes for those who don’t see them.
Though I think this was a calico pennant dragonfly it’s a little hard to tell because of the way the sky was reflected in its wings early on this morning. Its wings could have been wet but what interests me more than the dragonfly is the dry husk, called an exoskeleton, on the stem just above it. I’m seeing a lot of them lately and they signal dragonfly emergence from the water. A dragonfly crawls up a leaf or stick as a nymph and once the exoskeleton has dried a bit the dragonfly emerges from it to unfold and dry its wings. When its wings are dry it simply flies away and leaves the exoskeleton behind, and that’s what the strange husks are.
But my question, since I actually measured one of the husks, is how do you pack all that dragonfly into a 3/4 inch long exoskeleton? As it turns out it isn’t all that much dragonfly; after searching for the length of a calico pennant I find that their maximum length seems to be 1-3 to 1.5 inches. Still, that’s twice the length of the exoskeleton that I measured. I’ve read that, though the dragonfly is fully formed when it emerges from the husk, it is not fully shaped.
The dragonfly is all folded up in its exoskeleton and that’s how so much dragonfly can fit inside what seems such a small package. Once it comes out of its exoskeleton it unfolds itself, begins pumping bodily fluids to all its parts, and warms itself in the sunshine. Finally, it is ready to fly and it reminds me of a quote by Jodi Livon: Fill yourself up with light and fly! Now if I could only get a shot of a dragonfly actually emerging from its exoskeleton. I’d be very thankful to have seen such a wonder.
Just a feather hanging on a stalk of grass. I’m guessing most people would think “big deal” and walk on, if they even noticed it. But this feather was special. First it was quite big; easily as big as a hen’s egg. And second I’ve never seen one like it, and third it was pretty and I thought the bird it came from would be even prettier. I wondered about hawks. Owls? Eagles? The brown banding must be a good clue, so I tried to match this photo with something I might find online. Identifying feathers is not easy when they aren’t from common birds, and I gave up after a few hours of searching. The closest I could come was a great horned owl, but it wasn’t quite right. In the end all I can do is show you its beauty and hope that is enough. Maybe it will take you on the same wonder filled journey it has taken me on. I learned many things I didn’t know about birds, all because of this feather.
He who has experienced the mystery of nature is full of life, full of love, full of joy. Radiance emanates from the whole existence itself; it does not know the meaning of holding back. ~ Maitreya Rudrabhayananda
Once again I have to apologize for the length of this post but I do like you to see all of the wonders that I’ve seen. Thanks for stopping in, and have a safe and happy 4th.
Posted in Nature, Things I've Seen | Tagged Ashuelot River, Bird Feathers, Calico Pennant Dragonfly, Canon SX40 HS, Dragonfly Exoskeleton, Eyed Click Beetle, Hancock New Hampshire, Hemlock Varnish Shelf Fungus, Inner Bark of Gray Birch, Japanese Painted Fern, Mass Toad Hatching, Meadow Spike Moss, Mushrooms, Native Plants, Nature, New Hampshire, NH, Olympus Stylus TG-870, Painted Turtle, Pale Beauty Moth, Red Elderberry Berries, Red Spotted Purple Butterfly, Ruby Bolete, Song Sparrow, Swanzey New Hampshire, White Pine Pollen Cones, Wild Mushrooms, Wooly Ink Cap Fungus, Wooly Oak Gall | 45 Comments
From my perspective you never have to apologize for showing us all too much. Your posts are extraordinary examples of what one can see if one takes the time and makes the effort to focus on the wonders of nature all around us. Thank you for your gift to any who “tune in” to your blog. It is a treasure and I tell friends about it very often.
Thanks very much Sandra. I appreciate your kind words and I’m glad you enjoy the blog.
I hope you meet these things in person as well!
“Once again I have to apologize for the length of this post”
Definitely no need to apologise. Some beauties here, bringing reactions from smiles to a tine teardrop. Thank you.
Thank you Ben. If there were tears I hope they were tears of joy.
Not joy rather the intimate sensation accompanying the apprehension of pure and utter beauty. You have such talent as a photographer.
Thank you Ben. It seems beauty is all I see these days.
Clearly you are doing something important right! 😄
It’s important to me that people see why they should visit nature more often and that’s what this blog is really about, more than the photography. But a picture is worth 1000 words!
Especially when if it is so attractively presented. And with some interesting background information too. 😊
Thank you Ben!
Amazing learning experience you took us on with this post. Thank you.
You’re welcome Judy, I’m glad you liked it!
Another rich post full of treasures. The woolly ink cap fungi were a special treat for me today.
Thank you. That’s one I’ve never seen so it was a treat for me too.
GREAT POST and what an AWESOME variety. I love fungi and identifying them and you definitely have found a great variety. I haven’t seen many turtles here yet but there are an abundance of toads in the garden, beds, and yard. I always enjoy working in the garden and beds because it is teaming with life. I have noticed a few baby praying mantis in the garden and they are always a welcome sight. Glad the predatory insects are actively working. I hope you are well! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks very much. I’d love to see a praying mantis but I never do, probably because they blend in so well. Someone brought one to school one day when I was in I think third grade, and that’s the only one I’ve ever seen. I remember how its legs were jointed and curled. You’re lucky to see them!
They are kind of allusive, I think, and perhaps prefer not to be seen. The older ones will sit and watch you as you watch it but the babies will run and hide.
Interesting!
Loved it all. I have no idea what kind of bird dropped the feather but it was so beautiful. Thank you.
You’re welcome, I thought so too. I hope I find out one day what bird lost it.
There is a book on identifying found feathers. Maybe I’ll get it.
Great capture of the click beetle. Not one that we’ve run across in central Ohio.
I’m not sure what their territory is but I’ve never seen one here either.
I particularly enjoyed this virtual walk, Allen, especially the wildlife. The Japanese painted fern is also a favorite of mine. The woolly oak gall was treat. I’ve never seen one of those!
Thank you Lavinia. The woolly oak galls only grow on white oak and we don’t have many of that species here, so I don’t see them very often either. They seem to appear in cycles, every few years.
These are our native oak species. What we call white oak here is something different than Quercus alba.
https://oregonstate.edu/trees/broadleaf_genera/species/oak_spp.htm
I love any length of post from you. Keep them coming! The photos and writing are great. I always learn something, and the quotes you include add an extra touch.
Thanks very much Lee. These posts always seem to be evolving and it’s hard to know how much is too much, so I appreciate the feedback.
The tiny toadlet won my heart.
The longer, the better!
Thank you Katherine. I wish you could have seen the thousands of them that I saw. It was an amazing sight!
Your usual wide variety of nature finds to amaze and delight us. Thanks, Allen!
Thank you Ginny!
Never apologize for a long post. No matter how long or short, I find it all fascinating. Thank you!
You’re welcome Marie, and thank you. I’m glad you think so!
Oh my goodness… Never apologize for the length of your posts. I find them riveting and never fail to learn something. I found a click beetle on my steps some years back and enjoyed witnessing its calisthenics.
Thanks very much Pat. I wish I could have seen that one jump but it must have been frightened because it just sat there. That was okay though, because I was able to look it over a bit. You were lucky to witness one jumping around!
If I recall correctly, the click beetle I saw posed for a long time so I could take its photo, then go into the house and look it up, then come back out and observe it a little longer. Perhaps I even turned it on its back to inspire it to click. Or maybe it clicked and then I looked it up. There are several videos online that show it in action. One shows how the beetle’s legs perfectly fold into grooves on its underside. Such fascinating creatures! I also once found the exoskeleton of a tiny grasshopper. The whole thing fit inside the outline of a dime.
Interesting. I’ll have to look up those videos!
I didn’t know grasshoppers had exoskeletons. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for them too!
Wow, you have included so many wonderful photos and fascinating tidbits of information in this post. I love the click beetle and am mesmerized by its eye spots. I also really enjoyed your photos and discussion of the dragonfly and its exuvia (exoskeleton). I examined carefully the pattern on the wings of the dragonfly and it seems to be that it probably is a female Banded Pennant (Celithemis fasciata) rather than a Calico Pennant, though, as you noted, the light makes it a little tough to be sure. Regarding the remarkable transformation that the dragonflies undergo, several years ago I was blessed to see and photograph the entire process with a Common Sanddragon dragonfly and documented it with lots of photos in a blog posting https://michaelqpowell.com/2016/06/08/metamorphosis-of-a-dragonfly/ . It still boggles my mind to look at those photos and think of the amazing metamorphosis that a dragonfly undergoes as it moves from being a water-dwelling nymph breathing with gills to becoming the air-breathing aerial acrobat that we enjoy seeing.
Thanks Mike. I thought I had read all of your posts and I’m wondering how I missed that one. Those are a fantastic series of photos that I would have linked to had I known. You were very lucky to be there to see it. It seems like it must be kind of hit or miss, but I keep hoping!
Thanks for the dragonfly ID as well.
It really was a bit of luck for me. This species of dragonfly emerges on the sandy edges of streams and simply crawl out of the water. I was collecting the exuviae for a friend and had several in my hand. I suddenly felt one of them moving–it was a live nymph. Knowing that the only reason it would have been on the beach was to emerge, I quickly placed in back on the sand and watched and waited and that was the one that I was able to photograph.
That’s fascinating stuff! I didn’t know they emerged in the mud like that. All the ones I’ve seen so far are attached to twigs or plant stems. I’ll be keeping my eyes open!
It very much depends on the species–the Common Sanddragon is a little unusual in that it does not attach itself to anything. Most, I believe, emerge in the way that you have found them, on stems or plants or on the sides of docks or posts near the water or even in the water. It can’t be too far away, because the nymphs have to be able to crawl out of the water to the spot.
Right now I’m seeing lots of them attached to mostly plant stems. Odd that I’ve never noticed them before.
What a wide variety of nature you photographed for this post, I loved the little bird and the funghi especially.
Thank you Susan. That bird was very cute! I hope it’s not the kind that bother gardens.