Ohanapecosh, Mount Rainier National Park

We went camping at Ohanapecosh Campground at Mount Rainier National Park last weekend, far far away in that era when we were complaining about how summer was taking its time arriving. It didn't rain much, and we had a lovely, if heavily clothed time.
Ohanapecosh is the site of a long-ago spa town on some hot springs. The town has long since vanished, and the National Park Service has restored the area around, so we can view the wonders of thermophilic cyanobacteria.

And miraculous dripping brains...

Also seen: western coralroot.

Bunchberry

Devil's matchstick, which is a cool name, as is...

red-naped sapsucker.

Other kingdoms, Newhalem

Fungi: The elegant agate-like fans of Trametes versicolor, or Turkey Tails.


Protista: Fruiting bodies of Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa or coral slime mold.


Plantae, Fungi, and Bacteria: come together in the lichen Lobaria oregana. Along with a fungus and an algae, these lichens have nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. When they fall from trees, they fertilize forest soils.