Fly Agaric Spectacle.
24th October 2021
Yesterday we were out walking on another local hill, this time thankfully the weather was definitely more stable. Almost Immediately on the side of the track we came across a lovely mushroom – a Shaggy Ink Cap, I got my kit out, (including my kneeling mat and weed suppressing membrane to lie on, these are absolutely necessary for fungi photography in the autumn and winter) and laid flat on the floor - it’s awkward sometimes but the best shots are almost always from low level. We don’t see many of these fungi so it was a good start to the morning.
The open hill area we were walking on is not really that good for fungi because of the extensive bracken cover that has been allowed to proliferate – I really dislike this invasive plant and I wish something could be done about it.
However, we were heading for a local Birch copse to look for a particular fungi, the Fly Agaric. This fungi has a very close association with Birch trees and if you ever want to find these lovely fungi look for mature Birch woods.
As we approached a small Birch copse we came across a nice gathering of about ten mushrooms and we thought that was great. I took a few shots and felt quite pleased.
A little further on we approached the main Birch grove and we could see some Ceps or Penny Buns as they are known. I was back down on the floor again to take a shot of these nice mushrooms.
Susan had walked into the grove and suddenly she called me to come in and I could tell by her voice that it was something nice. What played out before me was a true spectacle, a huge gathering of Fly Agaric mushrooms in all stages of growth from small ones just poking through the earth.
To the classic fairy story mushroom shape.
I didn’t know where to start and I took many shots of this lovely scene. This was the best part of the morning, everything else paled by comparison and was well worth getting out for – a lovely surprise.
The open hill area we were walking on is not really that good for fungi because of the extensive bracken cover that has been allowed to proliferate – I really dislike this invasive plant and I wish something could be done about it.
However, we were heading for a local Birch copse to look for a particular fungi, the Fly Agaric. This fungi has a very close association with Birch trees and if you ever want to find these lovely fungi look for mature Birch woods.
As we approached a small Birch copse we came across a nice gathering of about ten mushrooms and we thought that was great. I took a few shots and felt quite pleased.
A little further on we approached the main Birch grove and we could see some Ceps or Penny Buns as they are known. I was back down on the floor again to take a shot of these nice mushrooms.
Susan had walked into the grove and suddenly she called me to come in and I could tell by her voice that it was something nice. What played out before me was a true spectacle, a huge gathering of Fly Agaric mushrooms in all stages of growth from small ones just poking through the earth.
To the classic fairy story mushroom shape.
I didn’t know where to start and I took many shots of this lovely scene. This was the best part of the morning, everything else paled by comparison and was well worth getting out for – a lovely surprise.