Yellow Garden Spider

 

Although it's known by several names, it is usually associated with gardens. The Yellow Garden Spider is active in the later summer and early fall in Missouri. Obviously, it's characterized by its black and yellow banding. It loves close-quartered plants, corners, and rises near more open areas. This is the spider that builds the zig-zag or X-shaped web known the world over. This is likely a female as it is more than an inch long. I caught this one in the act of binding up its prey.

Scientific name:
Argiope aurantia
Class:
Chelicerata

Shelf Mushroom

 

This is an example of a growing Shelf or Sulfer Mushroom. The name comes from the strong smell and taste of the mushroom. It tastes either like bitter chicken or smells like terrible sulfur. Supposedly it's edible, but I tend to avoid mushrooms, because I'm not an expert at identifying them.

This mushroom was growing on a rotting tree, and it is nearly all orange without its usual ringed edge. It will come back in full glory next year. Then, I think it will actually have a ring on it, making it more identifiable.

Scientific name:
Laetiporus sulphureus or
Laetiporus cincinnatus

The Passion's Not Dead...

It's only in remission. This is the fruit of the Passion Flower after it has withered up for the winter. The seed pod inside will spread come springtime when birds and other animals knock the fruit off of its vine. Then, the plant will find its way around and pop up again in the early summer. Notice the bulb stands out against the rest of the world. It is shiny and bright even in the dead of winter.