Bog Beacon fungus

I take great pride in my direction-finding ability, and on various trips into a more-or-less trackless local wilderness called the Bell Cedar Swamp, this inborn skill has served me well. In search of two state-endangered insects—the Banded Boghaunter dragonfly and the Hessel's Hairstreak butterfly, both of which call the Atlantic White Cedar swamp, itself an endangered habitat, home—I have ventured west into the heart of dankness and then, having progressed as far as I had time for, turned 180 degrees around and reversed course for the east. I've always come back to my starting point without incident. Until I didn't. Today marked a didn't, and though I discovered these remarkable sphagnum moss fungi known as Bog Beacons on my way out, they didn't miraculously appear to "light" my way back. Eventually, I made it out anyway—about a half mile south of my starting point. Next time, I won't trust my inborn compass. Next time, I'll use a real one—and I'll leave the beacons to direct the footsteps of other visitors.