UV Reflectance in Fungi

I own a cheap full spectrum camera which I use without extra filters so it will be recording all the light around including UV ('normal' cameras have a UV filter that cuts out these wavelengths). I also have a UV torch (mainly sold for revealing rodents etc by their uv-fluorescent urine!). Yesterday I photographed fungi with extra illumination from the UV torch with the full spectrum camera (this renders foliage, fungi a greenish brown colour under daylight). The Sulphur Tufts are the most dramatic with the stems and caps reflecting different wavelengths. On other toadstools the effect is more subtle! One Clitocybe was fairly well advanced and it appears that the released spores and the gills themselves reflect different wavelengths when illuminated. (There are some fungi that actually emit UV light but I think these are mainly  foreign and would require a special and very expensive filter for the camera to block all wavelengths except ultraviolet). 

Paxton with Full Spectrum Camera

I took my Full-spectrum camera to Paxton today to experiment with ultraviolet illumination of toadstools in the afternoon. I took a few images on my way to and from the morning work party and in Rory's Wood area later. A late Red Admiral was enjoying the warm sunshine.

Wider Angle Macro

 As my 60mm macro stopped focusing suddenly and seems to be permanently, I tried my 18-45 mm lens with the Raynox close-up filter. Here a few examples of what is still active in my Cambridge garden. Most taken at the 45mm end but the Cricket and Flower spider were at the 18mm end.

Garden Snails

Making a start on identifying the snails in the garden with these species that were on the move yesterday morning after a damp night. 

Lots of Insects in Ivy plants

Lots of different Fly species, Box Bugs,and other Hemiptera, Spiders and Ivy Bees feasting on the late nectar in the Ivy Flowers