Harbins Park: Day of the Fungi (Part 1)

Yesterday saw the last of my Christmas lunches – believe it or not. Sometimes it’s challenging to connect with friends. No point in going back to work. The parking is a real challenge after lunch so I signed out for the afternoon.

I decided to go to the park just to walk. The forecast was for drizzle so I didn’t expect much. I dressed for rain and carried my camera in its small case, just in case. I thought I’d walk the equestrian trail that I had walked on my first visit to the park. I was opened-minded and decided to make up my walk as I went, depending on how I felt. That’s one of the great things about this park. It’s has a variety mix and match opportunities.

The route I took. I left that paved Meadow Trail to join the hiking trail (A) and followed this trail to the equestrian trail (B). I took the emergency exit trail (C) to the join the hiking trail again (D). This trail took me by the overlook platform (E) above the Alcovy River. Last time I walked the hiking trail, I switched back to the equestrian trail half way between the river overlook an F. This time, it was getting late and I rejoined the equestrian trail (F) and followed it back to where (A) I joined the trail originally. I followed the equestrian trail to G where I returned to the paved trail to complete the walk.

The recent rain and warmer temperatures, in the 60s F, had created perfect conditions to rejuvenate many of the fungi and lichens along the trail. Even so, I was surprised by the variety of fungi I saw. Along the equestrian trail (B) to (C); all on fallen tree trunks or limbs.

A bracket fungus. These were firm, polyporous brackets. A Trametes sp., possibly T. elegans.

A closer view of the same fungus.

This is a crustlike fungus on a fallen tree limb. The tawny brown fungus with a white margin with projecting runners fits the description of Coniophora puteana, a dry-rot fungus.

*****

*****

Many logs along this trail were covered with what appear to be a Parchment fungus, a Stereum sp. Stereum ostrea?

This 'frilly' fungus covered the limb. Is this another Stereum sp.? Stereum ochraceoflavum? Each fungus was paper thin; thinner than indicated by photos of Stereum ochraceoflavum that I’ve seen.

And a closer view.

After I turned onto the emergency exit trail at (C) and headed south towards the river, I saw fewer of the previous fungi and started to see lichens.
To be continued…
Click on an image to view a larger image

Identification resources: Michael Kuo: Mushtoomexpert.com
Relared posts:
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 1)
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Hiking Trail. Part 1, Trailhead To Footbridge #1