Sandy Sheine and Amanita, Sept. 19, 2008 Mushroom Outing

 

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        July 21, 2007, Ferns in the Atrium

        Leader: Chuck Bosley

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May 3, 2009. Naomikong Creek Outing

 

Leaders: Chuck Bosley & Evelyn Simon

Eleven naturalists assembled at the trailhead for the Naomikong Creek trail, which is a scenic section of the North Country Trail that follows the Lake Superior Shore for part of its length.  One of our objectives was to hunt for skunk cabbage but, as it turned out, little hunting was necessary. Chuck & Ev reported that—including today’s finds—a total of 67 skunk cabbage plants had been observed. This fascinating plant (Symplocarpus foetidus) generates temperatures 15-35°C above air temperature in the early spring, which is enough to melt its way through frozen ground and emerge from the snow. This makes it one of the few plants that exhibit thermogenesis, the conversion of energy from cellular respiration to heat (thermogenic plants include other smelly species, such as carrion flower and dead-horse arum).

 

Only a few flowers were in bloom, such as spring beauty and trailing arbutus, but a number of other interesting plants were observed. Chuck showed us how to distinguish shining clubmoss (Lycopodium lucidulum) from the similar bristly clubmoss (Lycopodium annotinum); the former has sporangia in zones along the stem and the latter has spores in cones that emerge from the ends of the stems. He pointed out some interesting mosses, including the reddish colored Sphagnum Magellanicum (aka midway peat moss) and Sphagnum Wulfianum (Wulf's sphagnum); the latter has a hard stem that can be heard when snapped. He also identified a variety of other species, including the trail plant (Adenocaulon bicolor), so named because when one travels through woods where it is common the disturbed leaves with their white bottoms exposed reveal the hiker’s path. Other species of interest to botanizers included trout lily, sheep sorrel, princess-pine (Lycopodium obscurum), Dutchman’s breeches, partridgeberry, ostrich fern (fertile fronds), toothwort (Dentaria diphylla), bunchberry, wood sorrel, miterwort, birch polypore, goldthread, Canada mayflower, marsh marigold, swamp thistle (Cirsium muticum), avens, twinflower, rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera sp), running clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum), snowberry, several species of sphagnum, blueberry spp, wintergreen, Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), pipsissewa, bearberry, bastard toadflax, leatherleaf, sand cherry, and Michigan holly.

 

There were some sightings of interest to birders as well. During our walk along the Lake Superior beach we saw 2 Caspian terns and a lone wood duck, who flew off with a pair of mallards. Other bird sightings included a yellow-rumped warbler ("yump") and a kestrel at the Michigan Welcome Center, a pine warbler and another yump at our lunch site, a wood wren (vocalization only), and a broad-winged hawk.

 

We had lunch in a clearing just west of the suspension footbridge that crosses Naomikong Creek. During that time Carl Linhart informed us that the rather drab-colored mourning cloak butterfly—a specimen of which had flown by—is known as the Camberwell beauty in England. Carl also posed the following riddle, which he attributed to Homer: “What we caught we threw away; what we didn’t catch we kept.” (Answer at bottom of page.)

 

In all, this outing was a great way to welcome the long-awaited coming of spring.

 

Reported by John Lehman

 

 

April 25, 2009. Annual Whitefish Point Spring Migration

Leader: Tony Walker

This year, as it was in 2008, Mother Nature gave us showers and a wind from the North West, temperature 5 degrees C with sporadic drizzle. But a small group of birders following the Philosophy of "nothing ventured nothing gained" arrived at the point. The absence of Raptors, except for several Turkey Vultures, was highlighted by the fact that the sand dune platform counters hut was locked. For me this is a first, I have always seen Raptors. But we had a silver lining in the form of the second only sighting at Whitefish of an adult Avocet in breeding plumage; the bird was a little skittish but a large group of birders with scopes and cameras were given great views as the bird flew by and then walked along the beach. Its call was slightly slower than the one on Robert’s palm unit, but it was very clear and easily identified. I have listed birds at the river mouth and point in two groups.

Birds at Tahquemenon River mouth: Northern Flicker, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Common Merganser,  Red-breasted Merganser, Common Golden Eye, Bufflehead, Ring-neck Duck, American Wigeon, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant,  Greater Yellowlegs, Belted Kingfisher, Canada Goose, Greater Scaup,

Birds at Whitefish Point:  Sandhill Crane, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, White Throated Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Black capped Chickadee, Swainson Thrush, Snowy Owl Female imm (1 at the point), Common Loon, Eastern Phoebe, Common Raven, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Herring Gull, Turkey Vulture, American Avocet (at the Harbour).

Reported by Tony Walker

 

Sept. 19, 2008, DeTour Mushroom Foray

Leaders: Sandy and Jerry Sheine

Eleven participants gathered at a roadside park west of DeTour for a mushroom foray led by Sandy and Jerry Sheine, who came up from Rochester, Michigan for the occasion. At the park, Lorna found a nice cluster of Lentinellus vulpinus, a nearly stemless shell-shaped fungus that was growing in the crevice of a tree.  From there we drove a muddy road to Cranberry Lake that had been used by logging trucks, causing some concern among those with low-clearance vehicles. After a short walk up the road and back we reversed course and drove to a more productive trail farther west.  Exclamations such as “Wow, what’s this?” arose frequently, and Sandy usually came up with a quick answer. Among the more interesting finds were an unusual variant of the tawny grisette (Amanita fulva), with white patches of a universal veil on it’s chocolate covered cap; the beautiful painted bolete (Suillus spraguei), which grows only in association with white pines; the beautiful but deadly Amanita bisporigera, also known as the Angel of Death; the red-gilled cort (Cortinarius semisanguineus), with blood-red gills that can be used to dye wool; a bearded tooth fungus (Hericium erinaceus), with a beardlike mass of long spines hanging down from a tree trunk; the yellow-latex milk cap (Lactarius vinaceorufescens) with gills that, when cut, bleed white latex that soon turns yellow; the pinwheel marasmius (Marasmius rotula), which looks like a tiny white parachute supported on a thin black stalk; a number of delicious gypsy mushrooms (Rozites caperata), whose tawny caps display a silky white bloom; and the eyelash fungus (Scutellinia scutellata), which looks like a tiny red-orange disc fringed with eyelash-like hairs. We then drove to the cabin of Bonni and Graham Mackintosh, where we had a delicious buffet lunch assembled from Bonni’s kitchen with contributions from the participants. Afterwards Sandy and some helpers sorted the collections and studied the mushrooms that weren’t identified in the field, while Graham entertained the rest of us with tales of his adventures, which are described in his four books—the latest of which,  Marooned with Very Little Beer, features a photo of Chuck and Ev. A small brown Galerina stylifera resisted identification until Sandy studied its spores later under a microscope. This mushroom may be deadly poisonous, reminding us not to eat little brown mushrooms (or any mushrooms, for that matter) without identifying them first! In all, 57 species were collected and identified; select DeTour Foray to download a species list. See Mushrooms and Other Fungi for photos of Suillus spraguei, Amanita bisporigera, and Galerina stylifera. 

 

Reported by John Lehman

 

April 15-22, 2008, Birding Vancouver Island

Click on 2008AprVancouverIslandwithTonyandJackreport.pdf to download the report and photos from a birding outing with Tony Walker.

 

April 26, 2008, Annual Whitefish Point Spring Migration

 Leader: Tony Walker

The day for the Sault Naturalist outing was marred by really inclement weather conditions, cold South Westerly winds and occasional drizzle were the order of the day. The Tahquamenon River mouth was filled with a variety of water fowl, and 4 Bald Eagle 3 immature, Caspian Tern, Bonaparte's Gull, and 4 very cold Killdeer added spice to the group of birders there.

  At the point, from the viewing platform an immature Golden Eagle soared high and then came very close, Red Tailed Hawk, Sharp Shinned Hawk and a Pair of Merlin's flashing in and out of groups of small birds, looking for food on the wing.  At the back of the book shop Chipping Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Cowbirds, Purple Finch, Dark Eyed Junco, and Black Capped Chickadee were to be seen. We were informed of Spruce grouse close to the pond, a lady birder from the Audubon Society pointed out the area the hen Grouse had been seen in very carefully we eventually located the bird its camouflage blended with its surroundings. The Birders were all wrapped up against the

cold. Supper at the Wilcox Fish place warmed us up.

 

Birds seen:  American Crow.  Common Raven.  Herring and Ring Billed Gull.  Bonaparte's Gull.  Caspian Tern.  Common Loon.  Common Merganser.  Mallard.  Lesser Scaup.  Ring neck Duck.  Bufflehead.  Golden eye.  Blue winged Teal.  Wood duck.  Double Crested Cormorant. Bald Eagle.  Golden Eagle.  Red Tailed Hawk.  Sharp Shinned Hawk.  Merlin. Killdeer.  Starling.  Spruce Grouse.  Rock Pigeon.  Turkey Vulture. Sandhill Cranes.  Northern Flicker.  American Tree Sparrow.  Chipping Sparrow.  Dark Eyed Junco.  Cowbird.  Purple Finch.   

 

Submitted by Tony Walker.

 

 

Snowshoeing Fort Creek with Big Eric (Jan. 12, 2008)

 

By Wednesday the recent January rains had washed most of our December snow into Lake Superior, so Eric Haapala's snowshoe outing, promised for the following Saturday, looked unlikely to say the least. However, what now passes for winter winds returned and we awoke on Saturday morning to see our recently denuded lawns covered by many centimetres (but only half as many inches) of the beautiful, fluffy, white, celestial mineral.

 

I found a pair of our old spruce and rawhide bear-paws among the semi-organized debris of our storage shed and headed off to Fort Creek, a short drive away while feeling a little guilty for not “mushing” the distance instead.

 

Within a few minutes of my arrival the remaining participants showed up. The troop included our leader “Big Eric” Haapala, Dave Euler, Ron Prickett, Carol Gartshore, and “Little Eric” Haapala with his charming partner Corinne Wilkerson. I am guessing that Little Eric now has about inch or so on Big Eric – such is the fate of fathers these days. The Town of Bruce mines is fortunate to have (Little) Eric Haapala, MD as its newest GP.

 

The first step (literally) involves getting into (or onto) the snowshoes without falling over. Some time ago, on the advise of a friend, we replaced the weak, leather harness with a one-piece black rubber device that looks suspiciously like a piece of discarded inner tube from a 16 wheeler. I managed to get my right boot into the hole cut into the rubber contraption and eventually, accompanied by much grunting, groaning and a few low-level obscenities, managed to stretch the rubber strap up over the heel of my right boot. So far so good- now for the left boot. Luckily, Big Eric saw that I was loosing my struggle with the overgrown rubber-band and came to my rescue just as I was about to fall on my ear. Having been assisted to a more vertical position, I swallowed my little remaining pride and followed the other happy hoppers across the dam at the southern end of the Fort Creek Reservoir and up the trail beyond.

 

Big Eric had scouted out the Fort Creek trails a few days previously and recommended that we avoid the steepest sections where the hard, icy snow under the recent snowfall could prove treacherous so we headed northward on the hill along the west side of Fort Creek.

 

The Fort Creek woods was a magical place that Saturday. Christmas card spruce held the snow as delicately balanced, muffin-shaped piles that produced mini snow-flurries as we brushed by. At times sunbeams found paths through the light cloud cover to light up the evergreens around us reminding me of our recently discarded Christmas tree. This was why Betty and I love the northern outdoors regardless of the season!

 

 

The traverse took about two hours; just as Big Eric had predicted. Afterwards we retired to the family room of the Haapala home where we “shot the breeze” while feasting on Janine Haapala's delicious cinnamon buns washed down with warm apple cider. It was a great way to pass a Saturday morning. I would like a repeat of this outing (following my acquisition of new bindings).

 

Gerry Bennett

January 20, 2008

 

 

Myriads of Mushrooms, September 15, 2007 by Jeanne Mannesto

Leader: John Lehman

On a sunny but cool 50 degree F day with a North wind, eight Naturalists went on the mushroom outing led by John Lehman to Naomikong Trail.  We had a wonderful time searching the pathway, the forest floor,  fallen logs, and dead stumps for the different types of fungi.  There seemed to be myriads of mushrooms that day.  

 

Here are some tips for the amateur mycologist:  1. Observe where mushrooms grow as that gives clues to the type.  2.  Use a knife to dig deep enough down to remove the base of the stalk.  A bulbous base may mean the mushroom is poisonous.  3.   Peek underneath to check for colored gills that may help in identification.  4.  Identify Boletes which have a spongy substance rather than gills.  5.  Compare the shape, the color, the size with photographs in books, such as Mushrooms of Ontario and Eastern Canada  by George Barron and Mushrooms of North America by Roger Phillips.  6.  Learn the Latin name which often suggests what the mushroom is like, i.e. a salmon colored mushroom is (Entoloma salmoneum).

 

Here are the Non-gilled Fungi that were found.  In the Puffballs group: Gem Studded Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum), also called the Devil’s Snuff Box because its snuff-colored spores puff out the top when it’s ripe, and Pear Shaped Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme).  In the Jelly fungi group, we found Orange jelly (Dacromyces palmatus).  It looks orange and  spreadable like butter, feels gooey, but the taste is questionable.

 

In the Bracket fungi, we found three types on one large stump of a fallen hardwood.  The Artist’s Conk (Ganoderma applanatum) is so cleanly white on the underside that artists can draw on it.  The red banded polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola) has a red belt.  Horse’s Hoof (Tinder Polypore, Fomes fomentarius) does resemble a horse’s hoof. 

 

Boletes are sponge mushrooms.  The Scaber Stalks (Leccinum species) and Suillus species are mostly edible.

 

These are some of the gilled mushrooms that were found.  Pink spored:  Salmon Unicorn Entoloma (Entoloma salmoneum) and Fawn-colored Pluteus (Pluteus cervinus).  Dark spored: Cortinarius alboviolaceus, which has a cobwebby ring or threadlike veil.  Light spored: Delicious Lactarius (Lactarius thyinos) which gives off a milky substance when the gills are slit.  A Russula has a stubby short stem and it is brittle.  Amanita flavoconia, Amanita citrina, and Amanita virosa were identified.  Also found were: various Waxy Caps, Laccaria Laccata, False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca), Naematoloma species, and Clitocybe species.

 

Being armed with these tips and information about the many mushrooms helps a novice mycologist out in the field.

 

Answer to riddle: lice