
Stemonitis sp. slime mold, Agassiz Peak, near Flagstaff, Arizona.
The colony of stalked sporangia on the left was about 1.5 cm in diameter.

Stemonitis sp. slime mold, Agassiz Peak, near Flagstaff, Arizona.
The colony of stalked sporangia on the left was about 1.5 cm in diameter.
Stemonitis sp. slime mold, Agassiz Peak, near Flagstaff, Arizona.
The colony of stalked sporangia on the left was about 1.5 cm in diameter.

Beard lichen (Usnea sp.).
Beard lichen (Usnea sp.).

Beard lichen (Usnea sp.) and unidentified fungus, at Veit Spring Trail on Agassiz Peak, near Flagstaff, Arizona.
Daily monsoon rains arrived here in northern Arizona just over a week ago. The world is noticeably greener. All sorts of desiccated things are plumping up or emerging with startling suddenness. I can barely keep up with so much new and unfamiliar life. For instance, even a crude ID on the fungus in this photo has me stymied. Is is a polypore? A corticioid crust or patch fungus? Help me, please. I’ll be grateful!
Beard lichen (Usnea sp.) and unidentified fungus, at Veit Spring Trail on Agassiz Peak, near Flagstaff, Arizona.
Daily monsoon rains arrived here in northern Arizona just over a week ago. The world is noticeably greener. All sorts of desiccated things are plumping up or emerging with startling suddenness. I can barely keep up with so much new and unfamiliar life. For instance, even a crude ID on the fungus in this photo has me stymied. Is is a polypore? A corticioid crust or patch fungus? Help me, please. I’ll be grateful!

Aspen Series, No. 4.
Aspen Series, No. 4.

Aspen Series, No. 3.
Dappled sunlight filtering through the aspen leaves creates perfect conditions for hairy bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens) in the understory. I will definitely be returning to this trail in the fall, when the dying fern smells like hay.
Aspen Series, No. 3.
Dappled sunlight filtering through the aspen leaves creates perfect conditions for hairy bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens) in the understory. I will definitely be returning to this trail in the fall, when the dying fern smells like hay.