I have this thing for Indian Pipes and mushroom/fungus, so sorry but here come both in droves. (Yes showing more than one photo can lead to viewers shaking their heads and selecting one and saying why didn't he just stick to that one? )
There's an area on a nature trail not far from home that I discovered a few years ago. I've seen over 100 clumps in about a 30 yard/10m stretch. This year, so far, there are fewer plants.
I took my many shots and have winnowed them down to ones that I think are each different.
At this time of year, walking through the woods you might spot a white "head" sticking up in the undergrowth.
I used to think they were real neat mushrooms, then I learned they were actually perennials. The lack of colour is because they do not use photosynthesis to grow. They do not contain chlorophyl, they are parasites.
They appear as singletons, in pairs, or largish groups, growing 2-12"/2.5cm-5cm tall
Their colour can run from pure white, a light pink colour, to a black and white mixed colouration on their stems
The blooms are quite tight cylindrical shape. After blooming, the blossom turns upwards and eventually the plant turns black and then "dead" brown - as seen in a last year plant still standing.
A selection of clumps I found.
These two I photographed playing with my wide angle lens (and on the right playing with the processing as well)
Then there were the few mushrooms and fungus
Seemed to be a good supply of orange jelly fungus
And last but not least - meadowsweet and virgin's bower
