I spotted something bright pink and red among  brown woodchips. The shape screamed stinkhorn. I did not care to take a whiff to confirm my suspicion.
I have seen phallus fungi before. All types of fungi show up on the mountain when it rains. This one is named Phallus ravanelii or Mutinus ravenelii.

It was named for a South Carolina biologist, Henry William Ravenel. He lived in the eighteen hundreds. I am not sure naming this tiny fungus a Latin term meaning Ravanel’s penis was an honor. It is rather small.

They white orbs are “eggs” from which new little stinkhorns will emerge and elongate. I had been monitoring this stand of stinkhorns, so that I could have record of the process.

My hopes were smashed when my yardman drove over the little, pink stinkhorns.  They were no match for the riding mower. Poor little pinkies.

FLOW