northeastnature:

Here are some amazing little fungi. They are fluted bird’s nests (Cyathus striatus). See the “eggs” inside the “nests”? Those are actually spore-filled structures. When a raindrop hits a nest in just the right way, it flings the eggs several feet up into the air. They stick to a nearby object (like a plant stem), then dry up and release spores.

Possibly the best thing about these odd fungi is that they often sprout from wood chips in urban gardens. These were right outside a strip mall. Keep your eyes out and they’ll brighten (en-weirden?) your commute.