In the afternoon yesterday, we went down the steep stepped path into an area that is always good for fungi and spent time there searching out and photographing some very attractive species. I also got distracted taking focus stacks of this very hairy fly - Suillia species.
Very limited and not-in-best-condition photos from the Cambridge Natural History Society fungi-recording session on Sunday afternoon. I have looked a few up but not at all sure of the accuracy of the IDs so am keeping them to myself!!
The threatened rain and wind held off until mid afternoon and allowed our Paxton Photography Group to spend time finding, lighting and photographing the fungi in Rory's Wood from the very small Cyathicula coronata (growing on a plant stem so you can see they are very small) to the impressive Abortiporus biennis Blushing Rosette
Based on previous years, I was hoping for more than two fungi species at Madingley Hall, presumably as a result of the very dry conditions and the difficulty in the wood for rain to penetrate. It was certainly very dry underfoot. My compost bin is still yielding a good display of slime mould - so far only the one species ?Didymium bahiense.
Santon Downham is probably my favourite fungi photography location due to the mix of pine trees which are constantly replaced so all ages of tree and the Beeches that were planted in the original plantations. The fallen cones are full of Pinecone Fungi while many of the Beech trees are infected with the very photogenic Porcelain fungus. We also found the Dog Stinkhorn Fungus which is a conversation topic both for its shape and incredibly strong putrid smell!!
