Hiking in Fahnestock State Park

Right before leaving for Puerto Rico, we were able to get out of the city and go for a nice day hike.  Thanks to plenty of rain the previous two days, the fungi were out in full force (and luckily we had a mycologist along with us).  There were also many little frogs and toads, a few salamanders, and other fun organisms.

Tatjana with a purple mushroom.

If you ever thought mushrooms should not be called toadstools, think again. 
One of the many five inch long millipedes, the contrast between the colors just doesn't come out quite as well in the picture.
Not sure why, but Seppo did wear his TMNT mask the entire day.  
Can't really see too well in the picture, but this is actually a cyclops salamander.  Well it wasn't in the middle of its head, but the left eye simply did not develop.  These too are a very brilliant color, which the picture cannot do justice.
For part of the hike we went along the Appalachian Trail, maybe only half a mile of the over 2000 mile trail, but a great section none-the-less.  The trail was completely elevated here, on the rock wall, with about an 8 foot drop on either side, haven't seen that too often.
This is a huge slug scooting and sliming across my hand.
Terai sitting inside a hollowed out tree trunk.
Tatjana, Seppo and Terai at the edge of a stream where they were trying to catch the frogs that were hanging out on the rocks.  

Times that past without a post

Tatjana dancing at the Japanese festival, Obon dance in Bryant Park.

Jeremiah and Breanne came to join in the fun.

Grandma and Grandpa Simpson came out to visit NYC.  It was great to have them out, and I think they had a fantastic time.  

And just a nice day out in the park.

Puerto Rico

I took a last minute trip to Puerto Rico at the end of the summer before school started back up.  Three of us from the garden (NYBG), went to collect bulk samples of plants for the National Cancer Institute.  

We were able to see a great diversity of habitats.  Most of our time was spent in the tall forest in the center of the island.  But as a quick break, and change of scenery, we were able to take a trip out to the coast.  While there we saw bioluminescent algae in the ocean, we were able to do some kayaking, and saw plenty of cool creatures.

The famous and loud Coqui's.

A cool lizard with a ridged tail.

A descent size toad, found in the opening of a cave.

Here is a cavern we went to out in the desert.

This is in a a National Reserve; Los Tres Picachos, the three peaks.  This was the third highest peak on the island, and the trail was right across the street from our place of residence.

We went camping on our last weekend.  Here is the hammock and tarp camp.  It was a cold night, but a great place to be.  At night the entire forest floor was lit up with glowing fungi, blue-green mycelium colonizing all the dead leaves, an amazing sight.

Climbing and collecting samples at the top of the tree.  I also did some old fashion monkey climbs, but this was a really high one and I was just waiting for a good chance to try out the ropes.

And once up the tree, cutting down some branches.