Last of the Autumn Toadstools, plus others

[JohnRostron]

Yesterday, I went for what will probably be my last visit to my local woods specifically to photograph fungi. Most of the typical toadstools (the ones with a distinct cap and stipe (stem) had gone, but I did find this one:

#1 The Deceiver Laccaria laccata

This is called the Deceiver because it can take many forms, so I cannot be totally sure of my identification. Taken with my Sony A55 with my Sigma 28-85mm Macro lens with LED lights.

#2 A Slime-mould Reticulata lycoperdon

This looked just like a whitish blob on a tree trunk at head height about 2cm by 3cm. I had given it a prod, which is why there is a slight indentation on the left. Slime moulds are neither fungi, plants nor animals, but in a quite different Kingdom of organisms. Taken with my Sony A55 with my Sigma 28-85mm Macro lens with a LED ring light.

#3 Jelly-ears, Auricularia auricula-judae

Although these are now called Jelly-ears, the Latin name still betrays the non-PC name by which they used to be known in my youth. These are true fungi, but in a different group from the typical toadstools. These were on a fallen log, just above the ground. The largest of these was about 4cm across. Taken with my Sony A55 with my Sigma 28-85mm Macro lens with LED lights and ringlight.

#4 Fungus Mites

When I was post-processing the image above, I noticed these mites on one of them. This is the same image as above but at full resolution and cropped.

#5 How I photograph Fungi at ground level

This shows a typical setup. The camera rests on on bubblewrap, which can be rolled up to point the lens at the fungus. I use various combinations of a LED ringlight and small LED lights. The camera is fired with a remote control.

[deetheturk]

Nice captures John, I have yet to have a go at fungus, another on my still to do list

[marlunn]

Nice shots John, love the slime mould especially the finger poking it is weird stuff.

edit - found this description of slime moulds -
Glamorgan Fungus Group Newsletter
SLIME MOULDS – MYXOMYCETES
By Mark Steer

These are not Fungi but are often studied by Mycologists. They are classified as
Protoza/Amoeboza and start off life as amoeba-like cells that move! This is the
Plasmoidal stage where they creep across vegetation or dead wood at up to the rate
of 2.5cm per hour devouring bacteria, fungal spores and whatever else takes their
fancy! When food runs out or because of light or moisture-changes, these cells join
together to form the next stage – a Sporangia. This stage is usually the easiest
time for us to spot them and try to identify! Often at this stage they are less than 1cm
with a lot of different shapes and colours. At the end of this stage, spores are released
which go on to form the amoeba-like cells elsewhere.

[JohnRostron]

found this description of slime moulds -
Glamorgan Fungus Group Newsletter
SLIME MOULDS – MYXOMYCETES
By Mark Steer

These are not Fungi but are often studied by Mycologists. They are classified as
Protoza/Amoeboza and start off life as amoeba-like cells that move! This is the
Plasmoidal stage where they creep across vegetation or dead wood at up to the rate
of 2.5cm per hour devouring bacteria, fungal spores and whatever else takes their
fancy! When food runs out or because of light or moisture-changes, these cells join
together to form the next stage – a Sporangia. This stage is usually the easiest
time for us to spot them and try to identify! Often at this stage they are less than 1cm
with a lot of different shapes and colours. At the end of this stage, spores are released
which go on to form the amoeba-like cells elsewhere.

Thanks Mark. It is always a difficult call as to how much scientific information to include in a narrative. I'm pleased that at least one member does take an interest in it.

[marlunn]

They fascinate me - but then that applies to all of nature to some level

I am not a specialist in any sense, a very broad brush, know a bit about a lot kind of thing, so I am happy to be educated in most things at any level, it all adds value to me. If you understand the subject you get better results and find more to photograph.

For me part of this forum is to educate in the nicest possible way and not only with excellent photographs of things that many have not seen before or maybe not conciously thought about so as to catch the corner of a mind and peel back the covers to open them up to a wider interest or knowledge. I have certainly learnt a lot already.