Well maybe not that odd but I seldom find them like this or maybe it is that I am not just looking... Might be an earth star of some sort.
EOS 20D w/EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro, 1/200 sec.@ f/20 ISO 100, Canon 220EX Speedlite w/diffuser off camera, PP: Photo Impact 6 LOC: Linville Falls Nature Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway WNC.
Here is an odd fungi...
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- rovebeetle
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Cool shots Ken,i like the fact you posted 2 pics. The first a record shot to show what it is and the second a more personal and subjective view
Canon 5D and 30D | Canon IXUS 265HS | Cosina 100mm f3.5 macro | EF 75-300 f4.5-5.6 USM III | EF 50 f1.8 II | Slik 88 tripod | Apex Practicioner monocular microscope
Harry commented:
As Aynia commented, it does look a bit like some kind of creature, waiting either to take the advantage and grab on to something or maybe just crawl away. There were two of them almost side by side and as Larry pointed out, I took one to show the entire fungus and then another close up to show the venous markings. What ever species of mushroom it is, it is the first like it that I have noted in my wanderings through the mountains here.
Thanks Aynia, Harry and Larry
Could be a Barometer Earth Star there Harry. My Smithsonian guide references such also. Maybe the puff ball has deteriorated due to weathering. There were two of them and it appeared as both had been there for a long period of time.that looks like the Barometer Earthstar (Astraeus hygrometricus), but the puff ball in the center is missing.
As Aynia commented, it does look a bit like some kind of creature, waiting either to take the advantage and grab on to something or maybe just crawl away. There were two of them almost side by side and as Larry pointed out, I took one to show the entire fungus and then another close up to show the venous markings. What ever species of mushroom it is, it is the first like it that I have noted in my wanderings through the mountains here.
Thanks Aynia, Harry and Larry
Thanks Larry From what I have read, they close up when the weather is dry and the open when it begins to rain, so the rain drops can splash out the spores. Since these were open, it must be going to rain and it did some hours later as I was getting ready to leave the area. I found one other that was partially open.