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Community photo entitled  by Nina Gorenstein on 09/20/2021 at West Lafayette, IN, USA

On 09/20/2021 10:20 am by Nina Gorenstein| West Lafayette, IN, USA

These beautiful bird’s nest fungi (family Nidulariaceae) are waiting for rain drops to spread their spores. Fungi are very small (diameter is about 3 to 12 millimeters). Spores are maturating inside closed fruit bodies (“nests”) in “containers”(peridioles) resembling eggs. When spores are ready, the “nests” open. When a rain drop hits a “nest” the “eggs” fly out of the “nest”.
On the photo there are species of bird’s nest fungi from two different genera: Crucibulum on the left and Cyathus on the right.
Almost in the middle of the right half of the photo, there is an insect eating "eggs"

Nikon Coolpix P900

cropped