Life on the Outer Coast

Thursday
Spent my day either gathering mushrooms in rather heavy rain or in meetings. In Totem park gathered (for class) Cantharellus cibarius, C. infundibuliformis, Hydnum repandum, Amanita pantherina and a bolete that I haven't keyed to species. It's one I've seen before, but never felt very confident about its identification.
Was given a Cantharellus cinerus at lunch to use in class. It's a species that I don't find very often and was very happy to show it last night. It is distinctive because of its black color and because it grows singly, not in clumps like Polyozellus multiplex.
Ran out to Starrigavan after lunch and walked through the campground and down the beach side of the Mosquito cove trail. Found a nice variety including Hydnellum suaveolens, Chroogomphus tomentosus, Laccaria laccata, lots of Lactarius, Russula, Ramaria, and Helvella lacunosa. Hydnellum suaveolans has a stem with blue-black flesh instead of the orange to rusty brown flesh found in H. caeruleum. The specimens spent the night in my office dropping spores and filling the area with a strong and pleasantly odd smell. Coumarin and p-anisaldehyde are the chemicals responsible for the odor.
Looked for the stilts again, found black turnstones instead. The surprise was a probable juvenile Sandhill crane. It was in the grassy area near the small creek on the water side of the campground. It was useful that there was a great blue heron nearby for comparison. The lack of the red on the head was troublesome, but when the two birds flew I felt more confident. The crane's neck was held much straighter than the heron's. I called Marge to see if she had seen one that morning and to talk over the characteristics. She hadn't seen one, but was helpful in lending some confidence.
Stopped by HP rec for Lycoperdon, found Amanita panterina instead. Besides the abundant gulls, crows and ravens there were 4 Harlequin just off the beach.