Decomposers

Photo by Ned Harris 8/28/2013

Mushrooms and the other types of fungi are not plants (in fact, they are more closely related to animals than plants). They don't photosynthesize as plants do, for one; but rather rely on 'consuming' organic matter for energy to grow and reproduce (like we animals do). Fungi are their own kingdom. Hooray.
The fungus pictured above is growing on the mostly dead willow tree in the hummingbird banding area. Go take a look at how this tree is being decomposed by fungi.