First Fungi

With the first rain of the season a few days earlier, it was time to go check out what fungi had bloomed. Hiking up Steep Ravine, I came across some fresh oyser mushrooms, turkey tail, and a real surprise: a brand new dye polypore at Pan Toll.

Amazingly, I also spotted an albino redwood, right beside the trail. These are redwoods that can't make clorophyll, but manage to get nutrients by stealing them from a neighborhood tree. The leaves of these parasites are often confused with dead, brown redwood needles unless you really pay attention. I must have walked past this one dozens of times during previous Steep Ravine hikes, but never noticed it before.

Finished hiking in time to catch the sunset at my favorite spot.