Harbins Park: Day of the Fungi (Part 2)

After I turned onto the emergency exit (C ) and walked down to the hiking trail (D) and over to the equestrian trail (F), I started to see lichens – a lot of lichens. There are an enormous number of lichens and I’m not an expert at identifying them. Any corrections to my guess are more than welcome.

I started to see these lichens after I turned onto the emergency exit trail. They became thicker and more common as I walked down towards the river. The guide to common lichens on the Georgia Piedmont suggests that this is probably the Dixie Reindeer lichen, Cladina (Cladonia) subtenuis.

A closer view

A close up.

I found a few small patches of the Crowned Pixie-cup lichen (Cladonia carneola) on rotting logs.

A closer view.

This appears to be the Peg lichen (Cladonia sobolescens). I found these on a mound of soil covered with moss in the same area where I found the Crowned Pixie-cup lichens. This lichen resembles the British Soldier lichen (Cladonia cristatella) which have red fruiting bodies and which I'd seen in January.

Areas around the overlook over the Alcovy River were covered with carpets of the Dixie Reindeer lichen.

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I think these are the Perforated Ruffle lichen (Parmotrema perforatum). I saw these on the trunk of a tree along the Miller Lake Trail in Mulberry Creek Park and they are on trees in our field where they are blue-green with brown cups. I was struck by the fact that these were greenish with green-brown cups. The lichen in the lower photo was on a fallen branch in the humid area around the river viewing platform. The lichen in the lower photo was on a limb further along the trail where the air was drier.

The hiking trail climbed back up onto the ridge with open, drier woods with fewer lichens although I did find this.

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For some reason I’m finding a lot of Old Man’s Beard lichen (Usnea strigosa) this year. Usually I find clumps lying along the trail. These photos clearly show the attachment of the lichen to a fallen tree limb and the fruiting bodies.

There were very few fungi high on the ridge towards the end of the trail I took.

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The most artistic find of the day was a cluster of gilled mushrooms on this stump.

The final gem of the day was this sighting of some Witch's butter (Tremella mesenterica). It had dried a little in the wind but was a welcome splash of color in an otherwise brown woods.

So a trek just to enjoy the walk became a trek of discovery of a rich trove of fungal friends.
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Identification resources:
- University of Georgia, Center for Remote Sensing and Mapping Science, Georgia Lichens Project: A Guide to Twelve Common & Conspicuous Lichens of Georgia’s Piedmont
- Discover Life: Cladonia
- Stephen Sharnoff Photography: Lichens

Related posts:
- Harbins Park: Day of the Fungi (Part 1)
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 2)
- Gwinnett County: Little Mulberry Park – Miller Lake Trail

Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Hiking Trail. Part 3, Footbridge #2 to the Trailhead

The areas of the park I had walked so far were open and relatively dry. Although it was sunny when I started out, the clouds had rolled in and the sky was gray. This post covers the trail I walked from the second footbridge to the end of my walk.

From the second foot bridge, the trail climbed up the ridge and continued through though dry, open woods again. It wound around the top of the ridge before curling around and back down to the emergency exit trail. The trail then curved south to a viewing platform that overlooked the Alcovy River before heading back north to the trailhead.

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This tree beside the trail up to the ridge from the footbridge had two scars from blazes that had been made many years ago.

Some cyclists passed me at the top of the ridge.

The ground was covered with oak leaves. Acorns scattered among them lent pretty patterns to the forest floor. Although they were small, they did stand out among the leaves.

The trail heading north towards the emergency exit trail. For some reason, the embankment added a pleasing accent to the line of the trail.

After passing the emergency exit trail, the hiking trail turned south to the viewing platform above the Alcovy River. The ecosystem here was also strikingly different from the surrounding woods. It was quite a surprise to emerge into an open area with a boulder floor.

Immediately to the left was a carpet of Reindeer lichens (Cladonia sp.) and some Yucca plants, some of which had bloomed judging by the dead flower stalks.

The trail turned right to a large viewing platform that could accommodate many people.

Another carpet of lichen and Yucca plants lay on the north side of the platform.

The Alcovy River flows eastwards in the valley on the south side of the platform. I suspect the river might overflow its banks in this area after a heavy rainfall.

Cedars are the dominant trees in this area.

After leaving this area, the trail winds north back into the drier, deciduous forest. Several dead trees have been felled in this area relatively recently.

A hollow log is a rare sight. Most felled trees have solid trunks. And I saw two hollow trunks in the same general area on this trail.

This hike would have been pleasant on a warmer day and if the trail had been a little drier. On this particular day, the wet trail made travel slower and more difficult. It was getting late, the temperature was falling and the wind was chilling. I didn’t know the terrain on the remainder of the hiking trail so I didn’t know what lay ahead of me if I continued. At the point where the hiking trail almost met the equestrian trail I’d walked the previous day, I knew where I was and traced my way back to the emergency exit trail and then to the trail head.

The emergency exit trail is a roadway through a Loblolly Pine forest and provides a ‘straight line’ route to the trailhead. Obviously I’ll have to go back and complete the hiking trail.

Harbins Park has enormous potential for walking. Between the equestrian trail I walked – and there are others, the hiking trail, and the emergency exit trail, it’s possible to ‘mix and match’ sections of these trails to accommodate available walking time and to vary the scenery on any particular walk.

Gwinnett County is to be commended for their investment in this park. The park planners did a great job in developing winding trails that maximize use of the available area without making the trails feel crowded. The trails are well signed and maintained. And, I discovered at the end of the walk, printed maps of the park were available in a box by the map at the entrance; I had completely overlooked them. Kudos also for restrooms that are open in the winter months.
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Resources:
- Gwinnett County Government: Harbins Park

Related posts:
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Hiking Trail. Part 1, Trailhead To Footbridge #1
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Hiking Trail. Part 2, Footbridge to Footbridge
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 1)
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 2)

Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Hiking Trail. Part 2, Footbridge to Footbridge

The area of the park I had walked so far were open and relatively dry. Although it was sunny when I started out, the clouds had rolled in and the sky was gray. In this section between the first and the second footbridge, I was going to encounter a different ecosystem in this eastern section.

The trail immediately past the bridge went straight uphill for about 50 yards – it seemed like forever – before it turned, climbed a little and leveled out. The trail surface was bare and slippery after the recent snow. Several people had walked it before me and you could see where they had slipped frequently. I finally stepped off the trail and walked in the softer soil. It was hard going but better than slipping. Not necessarily a good trail to plan to hike in wet weather.

The trail rolled up and down and twisted and turned pleasantly.

Then the trail then zigzagged eastwards into a wetter area. This was characterized by frequent and larger patches of moss than I'd seen previously.

I found this clump of Old Man's Beard Lichen (Usnea sp.) lying by the trail.

There were several of these tree trunks with appendages that look like shark fins. I think they may be Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) but I’m not sure. If anyone can solve this mystery I’d appreciate it.

The areas was thick with American Holly (Ilex opaca) trees. The area had an eerie atmosphere. I expected a mist to rise at any moment.

A few spikes of Silver Plume grass (Saccharum alopecuroides) seemed out of place in an open area on the trail.

I wonder who lives in this burrow. The walls were freshly disturbed; it's not abandoned.

Somebody has been hunting for insects in these holes in a Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) snag.

This eastern, circular loop is the section of trail that passed through the holly forest.

Leaves of the Cranefly Orchid (Tipularia discolor). The leaves grow during the winter and spring but die back before the orchid blooms in late June-early July. I’ve only seen two small patches of leaves in Harbins Park so far.

Arriving at the second footbridge. These are relatively new, well-constructed ‘fancy’ footbridges compare with most encountered in parks. The ‘planks’ are recycled plastic; hence the warning that they may be slippery when wet or icy.
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Resources:
- Gwinnett County Government: Harbins Park

Related posts:
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Hiking Trail. Part 1, Trailhead To Footbridge #1
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 1)
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 2)

Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Hiking Trail. Part 1, Trailhead To Footbridge #1

I decided to walk the Hiking Trail since I’d inadvertently taken the equestrian trail on my first visit. The first section is from the trail head to the first footbridge.

The trail.

It was sunny when I set out on the trail. The sunshine added to the contrast in browns and greens in this section of pine forest.

I saw a few of these small mushrooms. They blended in well among the leaves on an embankment. I almost missed them.

The ‘infamous’ intersection of the equestrian trail with the hiking trail. On the previous walk, I turned right onto the equestrian trail instead of walking straight ahead.

The variety of textures of the tree trunks is continuously fascinating. Each view has its own character.

In contrast to the beginning of the trail that was carpeted with pine needles, most of the trail was thickly carpeted with oak leaves.

A few trees haven't dropped their leaves. This is probably an American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). These are one of the few trees that doesn't drop its leaves and provide a nice contrast to the leafless trees.

Another lichen; probably a Cladonia sp. that is in the process of fruiting.

A patch of moss that is starting to fruit. Unlike the moss I saw on the equestrian trail, this patch wasn’t damaged by the recent snowfall.

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A nice specimen of Turkey Tail fungus (Trametes versicolor).

Probably another American Beech.

On the long approach along the contour of the ridge before turning and dropping down to the first footbridge. This one of the few places where you can see long sections of the trail ahead.

Arriving at the first footbridge.
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Resources:
- Gwinnett County Government: Harbins Park

Related posts:
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 1)
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 2)