Mycology, Botany, and nature-appreciation
16 Jun 2021 1 minute read 0 comments tych0_21
This week, I took a few walks along the Grand River is Western Michigan, USA to see what wildlife I could was out on and near the water. I wake of the recent heat wave that has passed over this portion of the country, the cool waters of the river and...
14 Jun 2021 4 minute read 0 comments tych0_21
The European Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) is a species of moth introduced to North America in the 1860s and has since become one of the most notorious pest species in the deciduous forests of Northeastern North America. Unfortunately, the sp...
14 Jun 2021 1 minute read 0 comments tych0_21
The Crown-tipped Coral Fungus (Artomyces pyxidatus) is an intricately branched fungus most commonly found in Eastern North America growing from dead hardwood. When fresh, the flesh is a pale white-yellow and highly branched, with each branch terminat...
3 Jun 2021 1 minute read 1 comment tych0_21
Over the last few days, I had the opportunity to make my way along several miles of wooded riverbank near the confluence of the Flat and Grand Rivers in Western Michigan, USA. The collection of photographs shown here were taken over the course of 3 d...
2 Jun 2021 1 minute read 2 comments tych0_21
Over the last couple of days, I had the chance to take a few hikes along the banks of a local river. On the way, I came across a variety of fascinating and colorful insects. I've done my best to offer identifications for each species I was able to ph...
28 May 2021 1 minute read 1 comment tych0_21
Earlier this week, I was reminded that foragers such as myself are not only racing against one another to collect choice edible mushrooms at this time of the the year, we are competing against the residents of the forest as well! During one of my wal...
27 May 2021 1 minute read 5 comments tych0_21
This week, I wanted to share a few photos from my most recent nature walk. One of the things that amazes me about the natural world is that I can return to familiar places yet continue to be surprised by by what I find time and time again. On this...
23 May 2021 2 minute read 5 comments tych0_21
Today, I thought that I might introduce you all to a permanent resident of one of my favorite local forests: the Allegheny mound ant (Formica exsectoides). Allegheny mound ants are a species of field ant native to Eastern North America ranging from...
20 May 2021 1 minute read 4 comments tych0_21
It's been a while since I have been able to make it out to the woods. After a few weeks of rest and recovery after surgery on my hip, I have been cleared to gradually make my way back to gentle exercise, including short walks. On account of me easing...
6 May 2021 2 minute read 0 comments tych0_21
One thing I have learned about nature is that it will not wait for you, it will not cater to your schedule, and it will not care if you show up late to the party. While we can anticipate more general aspects of the natural world, such as the inevitab...
