Birch Conk
(Piptoporus betulinus)
The woods are somewhat monotoned at this time of the year, and so it is that small details dance in place and beg to be noticed by intrepid wanderers in wooded places.
Birch conks and milkweed pods wear caps of snow, and solitary leaves dangle in their place on cords of shimmering spider silk from last summer's webs. Rocks glisten, and puddles in the hollows are outlined in ice crystals.
The local chickadees leave a trail of sunflower seed husks behind like crumbs as they follow us into the deep woods chirping, and the shrike community are draping their nourishment in nearby hawthorn trees for later noshing. There isn't a single berry to be seen on thorn or shrub, although a flash of scarlet here and there would be welcome.
Every detail seems to stand out in late November, and I understand why Freeman Patterson calls it his favorite month for photography in the wilds. In the vast gray, white and sepia scheme of untamed places are a thousand and one small treasures inviting our attention, waiting patiently for us to wake up and acknowledge their presence.
4 singing pebbles:
Yes, waking up to their presence - delightful!
These mushroom caps remind me of stair steps for elves! ...giggles...
I think mushrooms and fungus are so interesting, beautiful in a whole different way than flowers.
Hi Cate
I always have trouble with fungus and mushrooms I'm not sure why it's not like they are running behind a tree. You captured this one really nicely.
Guy
so true, it is a time of revelation as the finery of summer and autumn fall away, leaving us with sculptural tree skeletons, dry seed heads, fragile fractured leaves and bright berries to punctuate the landscape. I love this time of year.
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