Sat/Sun July 16/17

[Man From Ironbark]

Well, I'm no expert on things that live in the USA. However a stab in the dark could suggest;

Bracket fungi on Birch?

Though I'm uncertain of both, I'm also reasonably close?

The fungi both does and does not resemble a Polypore but there are others such as the Boletes which inhabit birch forests.

Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, also known as the cinnabar polypore, could be the one.
It doesn't really resemble Fomitopsis betulina, which is known as the Birch Bracket.
There are others, Pycnoporellus fulgens is one that comes to mind.

But then why not ask a mushroom expert? [ Basidiomycetes > Polyporales > Polyporaceae > Pycnoporellus . . . ] These links on that page should show you quite a few to look at. Spore print colour can often determine difference between fungi of similar appearance.

Back to photos. As usual, an amazing selection of photos from our small family.

Here's a magpie that has adopted me. Someone cut his wing badly and he's been following me around since March. Turns up at the door as soon as I walk towards it. Follows me to wherever I disturb weeds or do digging, turning over logs or whatever. Though I don't actually feed him, the garden does. So indirectly, it is all my fault. Magpies will eat almost anything and do like my walnuts. I'm happy to have pest interference from any birds.