"WOLF'S MILK SLIME"

 or LYCOGALA EPIDENDRUM to any students of botany or mycology out there.

When in Santa Cruz, I use the disposal station at New Brighton State Park in Aptos to relieve my tanks.  I found these little lovelies on a rotted, downed log near the fresh water spigot.  It was the tiny pink blobs that caught my eye.

These are actually considered a slime mold, not a fungus, and when opened, they ooze a toothpaste-like substance.  Ick!  As interesting as they presented, I chose to go no further and didn't poke any of them!!  For some really nice closeups, go to:

http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Fungi_Miller_Stevens_Rumann/Pages/lycogala_epidendrum_page.html

and for images of the slime, go to:
http://wiseacre-gardens.com/wordpress/slime-mold-lycogala-epidendrum/

Who names this stuff anyway?!!