Arcyria cinerea

Tiny gray slime mold that was growing in clusters on rotting wood.

comments (10)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Another shocking reference shot, had not expected that small size! Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  They sure were tiny! I only found them because I had tripped on a root and was sitting on the ground nursing my wounded toes and pride when I noticed tiny, gray things on the rotting log sitting next to me. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    It was meant to be, it seems. You seemed to have skipped a step though. Immediately after tripping one must violently look around to see if anybody noticed it. And if yes, continue tripping as if you always move this way. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Hahaha! Perfect! I actually used the "tripping and then acting like that's how I naturally walk" tactic this past summer, but I'm not sure if I was convincing because I started laughing when I tripped. Totally ruined my "cool" cover.
      
      My first response whenever I trip in the woods is to protect my camera without thought to protecting my face, body, or pride. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Yep, camera before anything else, same here :)
        
        I prefer to play the "freak" role. In dutch forests, its unusual to go off-path yet for macro it is needed. In other words, people do not expect at all somebody off-path and this is a great way to scare the crap out of them, a single cough will usually do. The CSI-like camera flash setup adds to the effect. You can hear them think: "omg was a body found!?!".
        
        Another fun play is when I hike with Henriette (which is not often). On the way out of the forest when coming across others, I deliberately have this very satisfied, guilty look on my face. You can just imagine them speculating what a very happy couple coming out of the forest with a camera was doing there.
        
        It's fun to mess with people. Posted 6 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Lol, that is so awesome and hilarious! I love to mess with people too. It's rare for people to go off-trail here too, and I don't encounter many people while hiking; but, when I do, they are generally scared off quickly at the sight of a random woman staring at mushrooms and mumbling ;). I occasionally yell out noises (at the suggestion of Lisa) to ward off bears, which I have encountered (rarely) while hiking. The only creatures that I can't seem to scare away in the woods are the creepy older men... Posted 6 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        That too seems such a cultural difference...creepy older men. I mean, surely it's a risk for women here too, but really tiny and unlikely. You make it sound like a regular occurrence and viable risk, that's sad to hear. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Really? Maybe it’s because I live in the northeast, but it’s definitely a prevalent problem. In fact, there’s a website for the US where you can see where the closest offenders are to where you live, including their crimes, address, and photo. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        That's interesting. It's really hard to get a grasp on actual risk from my perspective, so your perspective is very useful.
        
        I come across US women talking about such risks at times and I always struggle to figure out the actual size of the risk. Is it overstated, dramatized...or a real, viable risk?
        
        The reason I struggle with it is perhaps that I live in a relatively safe country. Nothing is risk free, and it depends on the detailed location, but surely here women can go just about anywhere, also alone, without such threats. Not saying it never happens, just very unlikely. Not a day-to-day risk, if that makes sense. But of course that's my male perspective, which may be useless.
        
        Seems from what I hear the risk in the US (or parts of it) really is much bigger. Compared to about the safest place in Europe, I'd say the US is a more violent society. Could be cultural, a lack of gun control, less safety nets, lots of reasons, without passing judgement.
        
        One reason I'd highlight is mental care. I think offenders often suffer from (severe) mental problems. My understanding is that mental healthcare is relatively poor in the US, which imposes huge risks on society. I know this because the same thing is happening here: during the crisis, the government slashed budgets for mental healthcare which leads to unstable people roaming the streets unchecked.
        
        Anyway, not sure where I'm going with this but to express that the situation sucks. It must be so awful to have this constant threat in your life. I can'r relate to it as a male and from my location, all I can do is sympathize. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        The risk here is definitely real, and probably practically epidemic in some parts of the country...But, still not as bad as it is in many other countries around the world. I agree about the link to poor mental health of offenders, plus I'm sure other factors like the ones you mentioned, which are likely compounded by America's choice of a leader... Posted 6 years ago