Revisiting My Site
I returned to my site on the edge of Ravenna creek in Ravenna Park at 12:30pm on Tuesday, October 27th. The weather was sunny and partially cloudy, and 55 degrees. I felt like I noticed many more signs of fall changes this week compared to last. The leaves on the red alder trees have begun to change to a more brown color and become more wilted. The leaves on the ground have also become more wilted. Some of the other species I observed, such as bracken fern and vine maple's leaves appear to be more deteriorated, like some animal has been munching on them. I also heard many more bird calls this week from different species, as opposed to last week when I only heard crows. Additionally, as the weather gets wetter and rainier I've seen more worms and slugs. I saw a garden slug and very small worm. I was able to identify a few more shrubs, such as salal and osoberry.
My broader scale observation site. Comparing this photo to the photo from my first week and my observations, I can see some leaves starting to turn brown on the red alders and more beginning to fall. Also leaves on the smaller bushes are turning brown and deteriorating.
My smaller scale site. The weather has been getting wetter, and this week I noticed more worms on the ground.
Identifying Fungi and Lichen
The first species I saw was one lichen that was further from my site, however I thought it was really fascinating so I wanted to write about it. There was a large boulder on the edge of Ravenna Creek which seemed a bit out of place. After doing some research I found out its an erratic deposited by a glacier! It was really cool to be able to see in real life things we are studying in class, especially so close to home. There was lots of moss growing on one side of the boulder, and the lichen growing in the moss was Peltigera membranacea, common name membranous pelt lichen.
Membranous pelt lichen: These are leaf-like lichen, dark green-brown on top with veins, and white underneath with hairs/spikes and veins present. The leaves are about an inch wide, thin, and dry. I believe the small brown dots on the edges of the leaves are apothecia fruiting bodies.
All of the other species I observed were fungi, the first being Mycena purpureofusca, common name purple edge bonnet. This species was growing in my small scale observation site, in moss on top of a fallen log, half of which is in the creek and half on dirt.
Purple edge bonnet: This species was bell shaped, a brown/purpleish color, and darker near the top of the cap and lighter near the bottom. It had small white vertical lines from the top center down. On the bottom of the cap there were white gills. The stem was very thin.
Another type of fungi I found was Trametes versicolor, common name turkey tail. This species was growing on a moss covered fallen log, both on top and on the side of the log. It was growing in a shelf-like pattern on the side of the log.
Turkey tail: This species was definitely appropriately named. It is flat semi-circle shaped with ruffled edges, and brown where it grows closest to the log and white at the edge/underneath. It has brown stripes on top in the same semi-circular shape. Although it is hard to tell from the photo, the underside of the mushroom has small pores and no gills.
The next species I saw was Xeromphalina campanella, common name pinewood gingertail. I found these in a cluster of seven mushrooms growing upwards on the side of a mossy fallen log.
Pinewood gingertail: These mushrooms are bell shaped and orange in color. On the underside of the mushroom, they have large gills that are white.
I also identified Sarcomyxa serotina, common name late oyster. This one was growing on the side of a fallen log with only a small amount of moss growing on it. There were three mushrooms stacked on top of each other.
Late Oyster: These were tan colored, convex shaped mushrooms growing out of the side of a log with a smooth surface. They were about an inch to two in diameter. They have white gills on the underside of the mushroom.
Finally, I identified Pluteus cervinus, common name deer mushroom. This one was also growing on a fallen log with moss surrounding it. There was only one present.
Deer mushroom: This was a tall mushroom, about three inches. The cap was brown, and round and flat in shape, and around 2 inches across. The mushroom was wet which made the cap appear shiny. The underside had crowded white gills.
I had a harder time this week identifying fungi, but enjoyed the experience of being able to look at another type of organism in more detail. I've found that since beginning these journals I've been more observant of nature in my surroundings which I'm very grateful for!
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