Sunshine Parasols in a huge faerie ring
There are many huge Parasol Mushrooms in this upland grassland. They are growing in a faerie ring over 60 metres wide and …
Parrots in the grass
I’m walking on Orley Common and there are parrots in the grass. No, not these kinds of parrots.
As rare as Witches’ Hats
On the endless A9 as I travel north from Devon to Orkney the lay-by numbers help denote the passing of a day …
The quiet hunt
There’s something in the air today in Devon. It’s the merest hint of a dampness and a chill in the air whispering …
Perspective
Photography is all about perspective. Any subject can be rendered strange, unusual, unsettling, quirky or simply different by the slightest change in …
Oysters growing on trees
Wandering along the River Dart in Devon I see a dead tree brimming with fungi. They look like Pleurotus cornucopiae to me. …
The tale of Hazel Gloves and a fungus which grows on a fungus
There’s an unusual fungus on a thin tree branch in the woods surrounding Orley Common. I know that I’ve never seen it …
Bog Beacon
I’m in a woodland centre with a group of enthusiastic mycologists, with stereo microscopes, obscure expensive books on fungi and a packed …
The Blusher – forty years ago in my nature notebooks
When I was a child a group of retired gentlemen naturalists took me under their wing. I went on weekly countryside walks …
The trees have ears – forty years ago in my nature notebooks
I bought my first SLR camera when I was 11 from my neighbour Ron for £6. It was a massively heavy Russian …
Puffballs – forty years ago in my nature notebooks
When I was eleven years old I joined my local natural history and microscopical society. The next youngest member was called Darwin …
Dacrymyces deliquescens – forty years ago in my nature notebooks
Forty years ago I was excited to see every mushroom or fungus I could find. Even something as plain as Dacrymyces deliquescens …
Lawyer’s Wigs – forty years ago in my nature notebooks
Shaggy Ink Caps are a common fungus. They are white with brown scales on the cap. Here’s the entry I made in …
Velvet Shank – forty years ago in my nature notebooks
Forty years ago I spotted some beautiful fungi on a rotten stump. Here’s the entry I made in my nature notebooks: Today …
Waxcaps
On Fitty Hill I’m surprised to find a wonderful collection of Waxcaps. These fungi are classic inhabitants of poor, unimproved grassland and …
Fungus Fairy Rings
In the disabled parking area of the 124th Orkney County Show at Bignold Park I spot a fairy ring. I’m always distracted …
Mushroom Magic
A long walk along the cliffs to Noup Head. Giant mushroom fairy rings lie like targets on the fertile hillsides.
Pony Poo
Allowing ponies into our field has finally had the much anticipated and appreciated effect. The mushrooms have come. What would we do …