Jaci Dawn

That log in the center of the photo is coated with some strange fungus. It was sort of rubbery and the same color as healthy wood (it’s the brown stuff – the actual wood of the log is silvery grey).

It’s wrapped around the wood like a new skin, but a shiny, smooth new skin.

I found a description of Bleeding Broadleaf Crust (Stereum rugosum).

I think that could be what covers this log, but then… the descriptions all say it is a fungus of deciduous trees and I found this dead tree in a coniferous forest. That isn’t to say it couldn’t have been deciduous (alder or big leaf maple, perhaps).

I just thought the rubbery looking brown fungus was… creepy. And rather fascinating.