Day 2.208: Elegant parasite

I spotted these small white stems when I was mowing on Monday, but thought little more of them until Exile #3 found them for herself and sparked a little research - and a closer look:

It is a parasitic flowering plant called monotropa uniflora - or indian pipe. It is white because it doesn't use photosynthesis, but feeds on fungus in the ground. Hopefully you will agree, even if the cicada grossed you out, that today's 'weird nature' feature is cool.

This evening we watched the grand finale of So You Think You Can Dance and our favourite won - I'm sure our votes clinched it. The show was spectacular - full of the best dancers and the best dances of the season. Quite satisfactory all round.