Tuesday in the park

Well, the groundhog may have seen his shadow, but plants, animals, and fungi around here sure think it is early spring. Earlier this week, we had the chance to take the kids to a park. 

These photos are part of what I found.

Does anyone know what the flower below is? It is quite small and grows in the woods. 

I haven't been able to identify it.

Below is one of my all-time favorite trees. It's a favorite of my mom's as well. 

It was my grandmother's favorite tree, too. I love it.

I don't know if I am more taken with the moss or the roots.
Decisions, decisions!

The photo doesn't do it justice, but the moss was aglow.

Why, yes, I did photograph mushrooms! How did you guess?

I don't know what these are, except pretty. Of that I am sure.

See the mushrooms in the next picture? They are red.

I think they are Sarcoscypha coccinea. They are commonly known as Scarlet Cups or, 

more fancifully, as Scarlet Elf Caps. 

In the guides, these are listed as an early spring mushroom. How exciting!

As always, feel free to click on any picture for a closer look.

Thanks for stopping by and let me know what you think.

Don't forget to stop by

blogging from bolivia to link up your own Macro Friday post!

-Susan

The man they left behind

While at the park this week, I was looking around the base of a tree (for mushrooms, of course) and found this lone cowboy. He was standing his ground, waiting for reinforcements that never arrived.

He was a sobering note on an otherwise beautiful, sunny, warm day.

Poor little guy.

Don't forget to stop by

blogging from bolivia to link up your own Macro Friday post!

-Susan