Top Photo: Bird’s nest mushrooms.

A few days of rain and the dead wood and mulch comes alive. Fungi of all types have been popping out of tree stumps, branches and path-side wood mulch.

Here’s just a few samples of what’s about at the moment.

There’s more than one kind of bird’s nest mushroom. But you don’t have to know each species’ name to appreciate their uniqueness and remarkability.

These typically 1/4” and smaller mushrooms pop up out of the mulch with the moisture of summer rains. At first there’s a thin covering on the top of each cylindrical or inverted cone shaped mushroom. Soon, the top wears off to reveal tiny spore-filled sacks which resemble eggs. Each sack (peridioles) is loaded with spores.

The spore-filled peridioles are spread across the landscape by rain drops splashing down into the “nests.” The descending rain drops scoop out the “eggs,” sending them flying through the air (I’ve read they may travel 3 – 6 feet when this happens, one foot is remarkable enough). When the eggs land they adhere to whatever it is they may have settled on. If the substrate is suitable, the spores germinate starting the process over again.

As I said, you don’t have to know the scientific names or all of the different species of these mushrooms to enjoy them. You may, though, have to get down on your hands and knees to see them, they’re quite small.

In contrast to the tiny bird’s nest mushrooms, a large white gilled mushroom has arisen from a black willow branch along the edge of our wetland. Most who see it, with at least a rudimentary knowledge of mushrooms, suggest it’s an oyster mushroom. Though what kind, no one is sure. I agree, it looks like an oyster, though the shape seems odd.

Again, you don’t have to know its species name to appreciate its beauty. Many say it looks more like a “ghost” or even a cartoon character “squid” than it does an oyster.

It’s a gilled mushroom, approximately 7″- 8” across.

Brilliant red, small and shiny, the mushrooms pictured below appear to be candy apple waxy caps (Hygrocybe cuspidata). They are located on the left side of the path heading towards the Dinosaur Trail from the Cafe Plaza. They’re mixed in between seedling redbuds and other volunteers.

The first thing many people ask when you show them a mushroom or fungus of any kind is whether or not it’s edible. I’m generally more interested in the life history and beauty of the subjects than their edibility. I’m not qualified to recommend eating any of these, and in fact do not suggest you experiment with the specimens. Do your own research and decide for yourself what you want to do with them.

Have a wonderful walk around the museum’s outdoor trails.