Transitions
There was a feeling of transition in the air at Hinckley Lake today. It didn’t feel like summer, though it is still summer. It didn’t feel like autumn, which it isn’t. It is some in-between, transitional season. On the ground, at the base of a tree, was an illustration of change: a green leaf, leaves fading from color to lifeless, beautiful fringed fungi thriving on a dead tree branch, and ultimately soil.
Fan: A Beautiful Shelf Fungus
Fungi generally grow upon decaying material that was once alive. Today, on a very pleasant hike on a trail in the Hubbard Valley Park, Medina Park District, I happened upon a most beautiful shelf fungus. The fan-shaped growth was protruding from the trunk of a still-standing dead tree along the path. This beautiful flower of decay with the feathery pattern of markings? Dryad’s saddle (Polyporus squamosus).
A mountain biker travels the Royalview Trail in Strongsville, Ohio.
On a whim we decided to explore the Royalview Trail section of the Cleveland Metroparks’ Mill Stream Run Reservation. Upon arrival we discovered that the park is a haven for local mountain bikers! Single-track, packed-earth trail ranges in difficulty from moderate to advanced and travels through the reservation’s beautiful hilly woodlands. Small streams are crossed, ravines traced and traveled, and narrow wooden boardwalks bridge the park’s softest and most sensitive soil.
Red eft terrestrial stage of the Eastern Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens).
Cyclists, trail runners, and walkers were friendly and even helpful. Why not? Surrounded by beautiful natural settings on a warm and beautiful day –one of the summer’s finest– it was hard not to relax and be happy. Cyclists enjoyed the physical and mental challenge of the trails but there was plenty for slower-paced visitors to discover, things missed at a faster pace. At one point I left the trail to photograph the beautiful light reflecting red on a fallen tree’s now-bare trunk. On my way to the tree I looked down at another fallen log and discovered a tiny creature, about an inch in length, standing ever-so-still on the moist surface. It was an Eastern Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) in its Red Eft phase! I’d never seen one in nature and shot a good many photos of it. Owing to the deep woods and shade, photography was difficult and only one image turned out at all well.
Brain-shaped fungus, Sparassis crispa, attractive to slugs, on the forest floor.
Later in our walk, She Who Must Be Obeyed said, “Look at that!” On the ground, just off the trail, lay three “brains,” or what looked like brains, in the leaf litter. I’ve seen many woodland fungi in the region but never one like that. Looking closely at the growth to photograph it, I noticed it was very popular with the local slug population! I don’t know what they found so appealing but the slugs seemed to like the “brains” very much. We identified this one as Sparassis crispa — the Eastern Cauliflower Mushroom.
It was a splendid and enjoyable time and I’m sure we’ll visit again, perhaps this fall when the colors are likely to be amazing. Perhaps sooner!
True recycling here.
Visiting the Hubbard Valley Park of the Medina County (Ohio) Park System today, we walked the woodland trail. The woods were lovely, dark, and deep, as has been restated by many. Among the beautiful sights was a rotting log hosting sun-spotlighted fungi. Philosophers, have at!
Picnic tables sit empty on the shore of Hinckley Lake.
A foggy morning made for beautifully moody scenes at Hinckley Lake. The first scene of many that caught my eye was of two empty picnic tables resting amongst autumn leaves on the shore overlooking the lake. I strolled along the path gathering images as I went: ghostly lines of trees seen through the mists; lovely groves of trees with soft light infused from above. Though engrossed in the lovely views of muted color and shadowy trees along the shore, a spot of color trailside caught my eye: Two clumps of fungi were growing at the base of an oak, both dripping with heavy dew. Slimy, perhaps, but their glistening beauty kept my attention for some time. The morning’s quiet beauty made for a welcome respite.
Colorful fungi dripping with dew on a foggy morning at Hinckley Lake.
This shockingly orange fungus was seen growing from the side of a fallen branch or log on the forest floor.
The morning was dark and dreary. We had a delicious homemade waffle breakfast and headed out for a bit of miscellaneous shopping. The day began to clear with puffy clouds and blue skies drawing us out so after lunch we headed to the Brecksville Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks System. One of the more beautiful areas, the northern trail runs along a deep, rocky river valley amidst ancient tall trees. The forest floor is littered with fallen branches, fern forests, and understory growth… and plenty of opportunities for nature photography. Unfortunately, I don’t yet carry a tripod with me on these walks. Fortunately, a few of my efforts turned out well despite the darkness and hand-holding my camera. Among the last shots of the day: a shockingly orange fungus growing from the side of a dark, moss-covered, rotting tree branch. Amazing sometimes what you’ll see on a walk in the woods.
