Sunday, November 3, 2013

Nature Notes: Puffballs


Puffballs

Found dozens of these papery orbs covering a rotting log in the woods. According to at least one source on the web, they appear to be pear-shaped puffballs, and they are a "choice edible species" while they are young. Which is to say, still soft and white with no spore holes. I'm disappointed to have missed the boat on them, but they are said to come back every year, so maybe next time. I didn't find any morels or chickens-of-the-woods this year, either, and I was totally ready to give those a go.

I'm thinking these particular puffballs look like fabulous shapes and textures for pottery. Porcelain would do nicely...don't you think? Could be just the inspiration I need to get back into that.

 I'm definitely getting back into macro photography, too, and I'm getting reacquainted with my little Canon G9. I have no macro lens for the Rebel, but the point and shoot lets me get very, very close to a subject. I always do photo memes from my other blog, Maraca, but I'm making an exception for this one and linking to Laura's blog, I Heart Macro at Shine the Divine as well as to Michelle's Nature Notes.

Have a great rest of your week, everyone!

**PS / UPDATE** -  LATE BREAKING NEWS: My kid just bought an AIRPLANE! More on that to come...
**PPS / UPDATE** 11-04-13 - Wanna see our new airplane? Click here to see the Champ!

IMG_1939

15 comments:

Forest Dream Weaver said...

Interesting photos.....there's always something interesting around in every season!

Happy Sunday,
Ruby

Laura said...

These are so interesting, wow!!! Thanks for sharing the love up-close with I Heart Macro:-)

Unknown said...

Beautiful shots! I've never eaten them. We used to steped on them as kids because they puffed out a cloud of spores. Thanks for bringing back those memories.

Joyful said...

I'm visiting from I Heart macro. These are lovely nature shots. There's always something wonderful to photograph outdoors.

Our photos said...

Beautiful photos!
Greetings, RW & SK

Katrin Klink said...

Beautiful colors, beautiful photo! How I loved them when I was a child.

Leora said...

I love nature's little gifts. A lovely find, well photographed.

Laura said...

You know I love these!

Please consider yourself officially invited to participate this year's 5th Annual Gratitude (word) Quilt. Instructions (it is very simple) and a link that explains the origin of the word quilt can be found at the top of my blog. In past years there have been participants from every continent except Antarctica. If I’ve already invited you, and even if you've already sent your "patch" I apologize... I am trying to reach as many people as possible to make this the most expansive word quilt ever, and sometimes forget whom I’ve already left this message for in a comment, and since I don't know all of your last names, it makes it even more complicated for me to remember. My intention is most certainly NOT to spam you. I hope you'll join us it is really amazing when all the words unfurl on November 27th, Thanksgiving Day in the United States.

Karen said...

Puff balls are delicious when young!

Carver said...

I like the puff balls.

eileeninmd said...

I am not sure if I have had puff balls, they look pretty. great shots!

betty-NZ said...

What an interesting find. I've never heard of them before--but then, I don't get out much!

Vores have said...

Beautiful mushrooms :)

NatureFootstep said...

puffballs is a good name for them.

EG CameraGirl said...

How cool! I hardly ever see puff balls when I'm out and about.