Notes from the Meadow: rain

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Just right in May - but for how long?

The recent extreme weather conditions beg one to search for more information. Hence, I turned to the U.S. Palmer Drought Indices which consist of three animated charts including short term, long term, and long term cumulative effects of drought and wet conditions. Our area was at a neutral point in May, with not too much or too little rain long term and for our reservoirs and ground water conditions. Is this still the case now in July? Hopefully, in the coming weeks, more rain will head our way.

Explore and see what awaits your area by clicking on this site for the animated charts: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/prelim/drought/palmer.html

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Funky Fungi

Earlier this fall, between September 8 and 9, Tropical Storm Lee passed through, bringing buckets and buckets of rain, dumping over 7 inches and causing flooding throughout the Delaware Valley region and beyond. Normally, in early September, we have about 42 inches for the year but this year we had over 49 inches.

This excess has also translated into more fungi and mushrooms to enjoy, such as . . .

Elegant Stinkhorn (Mutinus elegans)

The top of it is covered in brown spores that are spread

by insects, that are attracted to it

due to its strong smell.

. . . and this Brain Fungus - not its official name - it is hard and hand sized and grows up in the grass. It had bites in it from the deer but must not be too tasty as it was left for not . .

. . . and these Puffballs - they were all over in various shapes and sizes. This one is hand sized and stalked. They are of the division of fungus called Basidiomycota and produce a cloud of brown dust like spores called statismospores as seen below when you step or poke at it.