Column Stinkhorn (and fly)

Description:

A more mature specimen than the one I recently posted. This one is clearly drying up and ready to collapse. You can see on this one, however, the fly visiting the gleba (dark, sticky spore mass) which helps disperse the spores. The gleba smells of carrion/dung to attract flies and other insects to spread the spores. In the last two photos you can also see some "eggs," which are the beginnings of the stinkhorn. I think there were a total of 5 that emerged in this spot over the course of a couple weeks.

Habitat:

Among leaf litter in a shady part of a suburban yard.

Notes:

I recently posted another spotting of a fresher specimen here: https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/16...