Friday 22 November 2019

Fungi and ferns on Nature Friday


Once again, I'm delighted to be taking part in the Nature Friday blog hop, as ever hosted by my dear friends Arty, Jakey and Rosy

Today we are going to focus on mushrooms.

Just before my discovery of Dark Matter (see Monday's post), I had enjoyed a romp around the pinewoods at the base of Scolty Hill.

We've endured an uncommonly wet autumn here in NE Scotland, which means that the fungi at least have been having a ball. (Gail has banned me from using fungi/fun guy puns in this post...)

Allow me to introduce you to some of the many different species still popping up amid the ferns and mosses, under the dark forest canopy.

Let's see, what do we have here?

I do believe these are Angel's Wings. Gosh, there must be a lot of grounded cherubs around at the moment...

Oh and look, here's some Yellow Stagshorn, providing a welcome burst of colour in gloomy November.

And these next ones are, we believe, Velvet Shanks, an edible species, although Gail says we would need to check the identification very carefully before trying them for supper, as there is a similar-looking, but very poisonous type of mushroom.

Less attractive in shape and colour, we have Common Funnel mushrooms, which are, er guess what, common, and also funnel shaped (kind of).

And finally, a top a mossy boulder, we spotted these dainty wee things sprouting among the pine needles.

Lest you imagine that Gail and I have become overnight experts in different types of fungus, we must 'fess up right away and admit that our nice friend Carol, budding mushroom-ologist (or whatever the right word is) helped out with the identification. And if anyone thinks they know the names of the little and skinny stemmed ones above, please leave a comment.

Meanwhile, I have some important sniffing work to do...

12 comments:

  1. we have a lot of mushrooms and funghis too, but only the unedible ones came this year out of the ground like crazy... weird isn't it?

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  2. Hari OM
    ...hmmm... look up "Milky Cone Cap", Berti lad, and see if that fits the descrption of that wee white one. Funny thing about fungi from this side: had a 'debate' with my brother about mushroom being the generic name for all fungy with bell-like caps... then two programs came on discussing the proliferation of mushrooms this year (good climate conditions) and I have bought him for his Christmas, a handbook of fungi identification! For someone who doesn't eat mushrooms, they loom large!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  3. The only mushrooms we get hereabouts are the ones that come in packs from the supermarket! You take care Bertie, and don't you dare try to eat any of those you sniffed, no matter how pretty they look. We don't want you being poorly, like poor Bob at ROF.

    Love,
    Inca xx

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  4. We get mushrooms that pop up in the front yard here, but da mommas always get rid of em since they don't know if they're poisonous.

    On anudder note, my momma and her sister used to call grandpa Mr. Fun Guy when they were little - pun intended.

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  5. We love mushrooms! They are as beautiful as any flower. I bet you are finding tons of good smells under that moss-covered rock, Bertie!

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  6. Just be sure you don’t sample any of those intriguing mushrooms.

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  8. You found some cool looking fungi Bertie. It looks like you had a great time exploring that park.

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  9. Wow , those are some very interesting fungi. We bet you had FUN finding them along with all the Dark Matter:)

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  10. Bertie what a wonderful nature Friday walkie you took and so much fun stuff like mud!!
    Hugs Cecilia

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  11. Those are fascinating. We may have to hop in a boat and float over there to go with you on a walk.

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  12. My goodness, you all have a very good eye to spot so many different mushrooms on your walk! Very impressive!

    Kiki and Rosie

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