It has been a chilly, damp summer and as a result of that, a particular truck-yard in Chicago is filled to the brim with all sorts of interesting gastropods, fungi, and other—somewhat mysterious—things. I had no clue that jelly fungus was so fond of really nasty truck yards. Yesterday, while cleaning out boxes and things like that, I found countless ear-shaped examples of jelly fungus. For a moment, it seemed as if the truck yard had developed an interest in listening to everything that it possibly could…at least in one particular area. The growth of ear-shapes and other irregular oddities was once occupied by copious numbers of woodlice. They’ve since moved into other neighborhoods within the truck yard and so jelly fungus has decided to move in behind them. If I had a greater interest in the truck yard itself, I might be tempted to make an extensive study of its numerous ecological niches. I’m not that interested in truck yard ecology. Mostly because I’m not interested in the truck yard. On the flip-side of that, I’m glad that I discovered jelly fungus on a particularly boring Friday. I discovered nests of various sorts, and also strange, cryptic things. Late-season yellow jackets continued to raid tea (and beer) from cans and bottles. Enormous grasshoppers flutter around; they’re no longer flapping wildly while hovering in place, occasionally bobbing up and down as if they’re suspended on invisible strings, but they are contentedly munching on much of the still-green vegetation in the area. Since Helle has been posting rather nice fungi from Denmark, I thought of her when I saw little orange-ish-brown ear shapes scattered around a small part of the infamous truck yard. I’m sure these things grow in Denmark. They’re a global species, after all, and from what I understand of flagrantly ear and brain shaped jelly fungus, the breed loves to travel. I wonder if there are travel magazines for fungi. If so, jelly fungus would probably be the primary subscribers to those magazines. I rather like that idea. I have numerous shots of various fungal growths. I suspect the breed might be called Judas’ Ear, but I’m not entirely certain. Truck yard fungi don’t exactly grow in the expected places, and on the expected surfaces. This particular specimen seemed content to grow in rocky, leaf-littered ground rather than on wood. I suspect that it’s a smaller part of a more extensive fungal body. It’s also the least ear-like shape of the lot I’d photographed. As you can see here, the fungus in question has more of a convoluted tortilla shape and the coloration of something distributed by the Frito-Lay company. I suspect I could name this the Frito-Lay fungus, but I somehow think that the name in question might hamper the sales of junk food products, and as I live in the USA, the impediment of junk food distribution is tantamount to economic sabotage, and so I’ll just stick to calling this beauty by its true name, rather than a more commercially-derived nickname. And so this is not a Frito-Lay fungus…though looking at it too closely might inspire an insatiable urge to consume a bag of Doritos…or not. At any rate, as Helle is posting such nice fungi from Denmark, I’d like to dedicate this Truck Yard (non Frito-Lay) fungus to her. Please zoom for best details: I rather like the details. I had no idea that jelly fungus could get so visually complicated, while recalling the shapes of deformed corn chips with a dusting of paprika! I’m impressed. I've also learned that this is an edible fungus, though it has been described as having the flavor of rubber with bones in it. I'll stick to photographing it...I enjoy them so much better that way: I am curious, however, as to how a boneless fungus can recall the taste/crunch of bone. As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a fantastic weekend.