5.25.12 Earthstar and Grouse

5.25.12      Clucking and scolding in the underbrush drew my attention, but I was surprised when the female grouse came into the open to herd her scurrying chicks out of sight.  I observed only three, but it seemed that I missed several of the fluffy, tan-colored young.   This Earthstar fungus seemed to be solitary in the sandy soil.  The round spore case has opened to disperse the spores, leaving a flattened grayish shell inside the star-like rays.