Identification Help

[Frolickin]

While I love exploring, I don't know squat about a lot of what I see.

I took these photographs yesterday. What are these?



Also, I spotted this on a couple trees in different areas. It seemed like the spots were clawed off and not just chipped. These were about five feet off the ground. Could it be an animal scratching?


Finally, I see these all the time. I assume this is some sort of fungus that grows on trees. Can anyone provide more detail about it?


I appreciate the help.

 

[c1nj]

The first picture appears to be a gypsy moth carcass and egg mass.

 

[Teegate]

The first picture appears to be a gypsy moth carcass and egg mass.

I agree.

Guy

 

[Sue Gremlin]

The first photo actually looks like the empty puparium of a gypsy moth.

The third looks like some sort of bracket fungus, basidiomycota.

 

[Frolickin]

Thanks.

 

[46er]

Agree with the gypsy moth id.

The fungus looks like a variety of Shelf fungus (Ganoderma applanatum). Very common, found all over North America. Some folks use it to create art, as this link describes. I found this link when trying to id the giant fungus I found this past spring.

http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/march99.html

 

[LARGO]

Another shot of your fungus. Taken right near my house.
This might help a little in the understanding that it could be, artistic?

g.

 

[Frolickin]

Thanks. Shelf fungus appears to be accurate. These are ubiquitous, I just never knew what they were called. I appreciate the help.

 

[grendel]

the bark missing on the trees looks to be someones attempt to blaze a trail.