Ephemeral Ghost Pipe
Monotropa uniflora
The illusive rows of ghostly flowers are actually a fungus feeding on fungi that’s feeding on tree roots. They’re epiparasites, or parasites sourcing nutrients from other parasites.
Monotropa unifloraHiawa
Eastern Native American tribes once used ghost pipe as an anticonvulsive and painkiller.
June Foraging
Cantharellus cibarius
A bike ride to a secret spot off South Milledge reveals a neon patch of orange on the forest floor. Click here for a simple and delicious recipe by Isa Chandra Moskowitz.
Neon Sea Grape Venation
Coccoloba uvifera
Coccoloba uvifera
Coccoloba uvifera
For a sea grape jelly recipe and more, click here.
Sabal Roots on Rattlesnake Island
Sabal palmetto
Don’t they look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book?
Reclamation
Taraxacum officinale
Kalanchoe daigremontiana
Portulaca oleracea
Succulents and dandelions reclaim sandy soil from a tired, cracking tennis court. In the words of author Richard Powers, “There’s always as much belowground as above.”
Antigua Black Pineapple Farm
Pineapple Farm in Saint Mary Parish, Antigua
Ananas comosus
Flamboyant Tree
Delonix regia
Antigua locals call this tree “chuk chuk” due to the sound the seed pod makes when used as a rhythmic musical instrument.
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Click here for buttonbush photos taken over 1,700 miles away from the one featured above.
West Indian Fuzzy Chiton
Acanthopleura granulata
The West Indian fuzzy chiton attaches itself to limestone cliffs throughout the Caribbean while munching on algae.
Limestone Cliff in Dickenson Bay
Chance Encounter Under the Overpass
Odocoileus virginianus
Amidst kudzu and trumpet creeper, a doe stands sentry high above the North Oconee Greenway on a Sunday afternoon.
Curry and Eggs
Murraya koenigii (and Halyomorpha halys)
A curious array of stink bug eggs is almost tossed into a pan of shimmering olive oil. Once apparent, they’re returned to the potted plant. Hopefully the compassionate act doesn’t end in the decimation of beloved leaves.
Click here for the vegan pozole recipe these tiny orbs almost joined.
Barometer Earthstar
Astraeus hygrometricus
In the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, a chance encounter with this earthstar over a year ago required balance. Literally.
Astraeus hygrometricus
The High Shoals Creek Falls Trail was closed, but a fallen tree offered intrepid hikers views of the waterfall. A mud-caked log was the only route across the creek after a tree chopped the footbridge in half.
The curious alien spore sac rested on a rock next to the platform/overlook.
