Ann in Bridge Lake
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akbridgelake.bsky.social
Ann in Bridge Lake
@akbridgelake.bsky.social
3K followers 840 following 1.8K posts
Documenting in words and photos the beautiful flora, fauna & fungi of BC's South Cariboo region 🇨🇦 (my photos; ID's in ALT text).

Contributor and co-publisher of https://renaissancegardenguy.com/
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Ann in Bridge Lake @akbridgelake.bsky.social · 14d
"The Renaissance Garden Guy and Gal" is the latest by John G. Stamos and recounts how two crazy kids fell in love, robbed a bank and went on the run...actually, that's not what really happened, but it's still a pretty terrific read.

renaissancegardenguy.com/the-renaissa...
The Renaissance Garden Guy and Gal
"The Renaissance Garden Guy and Gal." The revealing story of our recent marriage without all the gooey and nauseating social media schmaltz.
renaissancegardenguy.com
akbridgelake.bsky.social
Sometimes we encounter people who have a lot of crust, and that is why I prefer meeting trees instead.

#Fungi #Nature #Photography #FungiFriends 🍄📷

Brown-toothed Crust Fungus (Hydnoporia olivacea); on oak, found in Michiana Shores, Indiana.
Brown-toothed Crust Fungus (Hydnoporia olivacea) on oak found in Michiana Shores, Indiana. Brown coloured crust spreading across tree surface that is comprised of numerous and crowded toothy surface.
November 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
The Age of Mushroom Enlightenment continues:
DNA analysis confirms that the Hexagonal-pored Polypore (Neofavolus americanus) found in North America is a distinct species from the European one (Neofavolus alveolaris).
#Fungi #Nature #Photography #FungiFriends 🍄📷
Underside view of Neofavolus americanus, the Hexagonal-pored Polypore species found in North America (DNA analysis has confirmed that this is a distinct species from the European one, Neofavolus alveolaris). Underside is cream coloured and the pores are elongated and angular in shape. Observed growing on hardwood in Michiana Shores, Indiana.
November 3, 2025 at 7:12 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
The November 2025 newsletter will keep you up to date on what you can see this month in The Renaissance Garden Guy in addition to links to October's publications...and there's a handy Subscribe button at the top when you check it out.

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Banner and header to the November 2025 Newsletter in the Renaissance Garden Guy publication (renaissancegardenguy.com)
November 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
"The Renaissance Garden Guy and Gal" is the latest by John G. Stamos and recounts how two crazy kids fell in love, robbed a bank and went on the run...actually, that's not what really happened, but it's still a pretty terrific read.

renaissancegardenguy.com/the-renaissa...
The Renaissance Garden Guy and Gal
"The Renaissance Garden Guy and Gal." The revealing story of our recent marriage without all the gooey and nauseating social media schmaltz.
renaissancegardenguy.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:19 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
Glittering guttation seen on the underside of this Resinous Polypore found while out exploring in Michiana Shores, Indiana
#fungi #nature #photography 🍄📷
Underside view of a Resinous Polypore (Ischnoderma resinosum) showing several golden droplets during guttation, a process by which some fungi expel excess moisture during periods of rapid growth.
October 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
Apologies for the absence, but getting married will often do that.
My wonderful husband, the writer John G. Stamos, and I will be making our home in Bridge Lake and have big plans for our publication @renaissancegardenguy.com in the coming months. Stay tuned!
A photo of myself and my husband, John G. Stamos displaying our wedding bands shortly after getting married in LaPorte, Indiania on October 6, 2025.
October 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
A personal recollection about the efforts to save an injured owl in my latest published piece "Raptor Rescue Squad!"

renaissancegardenguy.com/raptor-rescu...
Raptor Rescue Squad!
Conducting a raptor rescue isn't easy. Ann Simpson tells the story of some very determined people and the injured bird of prey they aided.
renaissancegardenguy.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:46 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
A Leccinum that is really living up to the term "scaber stalk"
#fungi #photography
#FungiFriends 🍄📷
Aspen Bolete mushroom (Leccinum insigne). Rounded orange cap atop a stocky stem that is covered in dark scabers, or scales, which are unusually dense compared to the ones normally seen.
September 30, 2025 at 5:53 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
Many foggy Cariboo mornings now that fall has arrived.
#Photography 📷
A section of knotted barbed wire with cobweb strands dotted with moisture drops from a very foggy morning in the South Cariboo.
September 23, 2025 at 5:36 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
"Cosmic Americana: Nudie Cohn's Visionary Fashion"

A terrific new feature by writer Jenna Stocker that is as fascinating as it is informative, and you won't look at a Rhinestone cowboy the same way again after reading it.

renaissancegardenguy.com/cosmic-ameri...
Except from "Cosmic Americana: Nudie Cohn's Visionary Fashion" by Jenna Stocker and published exclusively in RenaissanceGardenGuy.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:26 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
I'm rather bullish about this one.
#wildflowers #photography 📷
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare); spindles of purple-pink tufted florets rising from a dark green, pear shaped and spiny flower head. Considered an invasive in North America, even though it's rich nectar is an attractive food source to many types of insects.
September 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
The latest feature by John G. Stamos just published today. Note to readers: the regurgitation references are purely metaphorical and won't interfere with your enjoyment of this terrific piece.
renaissancegardenguy.com/birds-do-it-...
Birds Do It Bees Do It... Regurgitation!
Birds do it, bees do it... regurgitation! Sometimes writing (and publishing) is a dish best served warmed-over. John Stamos' latest.
renaissancegardenguy.com
September 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
Elegant Goldenrod is one of the stars of summer 🐝
#wildflowers #nativeplants #photography 📷
Yellow sprays of Elegant Goldenrod with two Yellowish Cuckoo Bumblebees and either a small butterfly or moth enjoying fresh nectar. While there species of Goldenrod that are considered invasive to Canada, this species is native to western North America.
September 11, 2025 at 6:12 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
When you spill #wildflower seeds underneath a picnic table.
#flowers #photography 📷
A single red poppy against a backdrop of green grass and clover that was found growing underneath a picnic table after wildflower seeds were spilled there.
September 3, 2025 at 7:12 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
The latest newsletter is out (link below) with a recap and links to features published in August, as well as news about upcoming features for September. Subscribing is easy (and free) and you won't miss out on the great writing of some amazing contributors.

mailchi.mp/6cad10d91fda...
Screenshot of title banner of the September 2025 newsletter for renaissancegardenguy.com publication - subscribing is easy and it's free.
September 3, 2025 at 7:08 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
The Petunias that roared...
#flowers #photography 📷
Cluster of Yellow Petunia flowers and a couple of pink Petunias with green foliage interspersed - photo is a detail from a hanging basket.
August 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
A very beautiful and moving poem that I just can't stop reading.

renaissancegardenguy.com/canopy-poem/
Canopy Poem
Have a read of my poem, "Canopy," on The Renaissance Garden Guy this week. Sort of a free verse/prose poem hybrid. But I liked it,
renaissancegardenguy.com
August 26, 2025 at 8:18 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
So many patches of Ghost Pipes this summer, and the pink tints in these particular ones seem to be reminding us that, yes, this is a #wildflower ...
#nativeplants #nature #photography 📷
Patch of several Ghost Pipes (Monotropa uniflora); the flowers are translucent and largely colourless, those these ones have a slight pink tint which is not uncommon to see. Each flower is somewhat bell-shaped and extending downwards from a single erect stem that is curved at the apex.
August 26, 2025 at 6:43 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
Meet me at the Meadowsweet!
#wildflowers #nativeplants #insects #invertebrates #nature #photography 📷
Flower heads of a Shiny Leaf Meadowsweet (Spirea lucida) with a trio of large black and beige Judolia montivagans, a species of Flower Longhorn Beetle.
August 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
Raspberry greens are serious contenders of raspberry reds for my attention.
#garden #plants #photography 📷
Young leaf stalk of a raspberry plant; leaves are green and just beginning to unfurl.
August 17, 2025 at 6:20 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
A very different type of piece written by me that was recently published. A work of short fiction that I hope you'll check out and hopefully it will leave you wanting to dip your toes in the water.

renaissancegardenguy.com/river/
River
"River" is the latest short fiction from writer Ann Simpson. Published for the first time in The Renaissance Garden Guy.
renaissancegardenguy.com
August 15, 2025 at 6:19 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
The Flax and the Fog.
#wildflowers #photography 📷
Single blue flowerhead of Flax, bloom is not yet fully opened and the stems are covered and weighted down in water droplets. Very misty background from a foggy morning.
August 12, 2025 at 6:10 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
A decidedly confused Yarrow.
#wildflowers #nativeplants #nature #photography 📷
Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium); five flat-topped clusters of numerous white florets with yellow centers. This plant is actually growing downward and has a vine-like appearance with the flower clusters facing upwards.
August 4, 2025 at 6:49 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
I see nuzzling horses when I look at these Ghost Pipes.
#nativeplants #nature #photography 📷
A pair of Ghost Pipes (Monotropa uniflora) leaning in towards one another; the flowers are translucent and colourless, as well as covered in water droplets, and each one is extending downwards from a single curved stem. The appearance of the flower heads resembles the shape of a horse's head.
August 1, 2025 at 6:04 PM
akbridgelake.bsky.social
A mushroom in the hand is worth two in the ground.
#fungi #mushrooms #nature #photography 🍄📷
Meadow Mushroom (Agaricus campestris) inverted in my hand. Cap and stem are white, and the stem is narrower and smoother near the apex where the sheath has separated. Gills are crowded and free from the stem, colour of gills is a brownish pink at this stage.
July 27, 2025 at 5:40 PM