Cups and Caps at Paxton

Still a lot of fungi around at Paxton Pits including several species of cups as well as traditional clumps of Mycena etc. The Scarlet Elf Caps, Sarcoscypha spp (S. austriaca is the commoner but indistiguishable in the field from S. coccinea) are just starting to fruit - this one with an unusually long stem to get above the moss but also Brown Cups (Rutstroemia firma),  Lemon Cups (Bisporella citrina) and the impressive Green Elfcup (Chlorociboria aeruginascens). The Coral Spot (Nectria cinnabarina) was on a lot of twigs.

Wimpole Fungi

Wimpole grounds were very 'damp' in the mist but thankfully not too muddy. Lots of fungi covered in dew, which gives interesting shots as in the first photo but makes ID difficult. I have managed to identify Calocera cornea, Small stagshorn (2), Helvella crispa, White Saddle (3), Auricularia mesenterica, Tripe Fungus (5,6), Auricularia auricula-judae, Jelly Ear (8), Annulohypoxylon thouarsianum King Alfred's Cakes - young stage (9) and Nostoc comune a Cyanobacterium (10)

Wimpole in the Mist

I took a damp misty walk round Wimpole Estate this morning - very atmospheric but difficult to photograph. I was surprised to find a primrose plant in full bloom in the midst of a lot of different fungi species (next post)

Hardwick Wood Minifungi etc

A few very small fungi (all under 2 cm) from a forage at Hardwick Wood this morning. All focus-stacked - some in-camera stacks, others processed in Zerene Stacker. I will add some IDs to the files when time to look them up!! I think the mycelium shot with transparent 'baubles' might be a Zygomycota like bread mould. 

Morning Light at Hunstanton

In addition to the possibility of a stunning sunset, Hunstanton can also provide beautiful lighting for morning bird photography as the sun climbs above the cliff accentuating the intricate plumage of our winter waders, gulls and egrets. Sanderlings are always a challenge but worth the chase!!