Tuesday 28 October 2014

Mendip Fungi Foray- 25/10/14

Our walk started at Burrington Coombe and took us up the steep Link Lane to the bottom level of the heights of Blackdown.  A few more fungi species are appearing now in the woodland edges of Link Lane, must be due to all the recent rain and mild weather!
Blackdown looks amazing with its copper tones of leaves and Bracken but our path was leading us on towards the grassland of Dolebury Warren.
The total walk was only 5 miles across upland and through woods. A walk of great Autumn colours and views and a fantastic amount of different fungi species of all shapes, sizes and colours. 
The surprise of the day was the discovery of a great 'gathering' of Fly Agaric, the sight was pure magic and believe it or not made me a bit emotional because of the beauty, colour and perfection of what we saw.  This has to be one of the best walks for fungi and we will return!

Mycena? With pin mould. One fungus attacking another ( thanks to Steve Balcome for info)


                
                   Deep in the woods


Tiny unknowns - life everywhere 


                                             
                                                 Tiny fungi in the grass on the warren

Parasol - banquet for some!


             
                   So delicate - a work of art


Looks good enough to eat!!!


                
                   Tiny 'hats' within the grass


Pettycoat Mottlegill


               
                Parasol - there were plenty across the warren, a massive size as well quite spectacular 


Young Parasol?
    
                 
               
                   Macrolepiota excoriata- a smoother cousin of the Parasol

Meadow Puffball - plenty of these in the grassland


                
                    Meadow Puffball


Grassland Puffball? 


               
                     Unknown fungi - almost sculpted growing into the grass

Tiny puffball? In the moss


               
                  Puffball type this time in the woods


Tiny and delicate in the grass

               
               
                  Fallen Parasol - bit of a breeze this morning!

Puffball


                
                   Crimson Waxcap - only a few found in the grassland, but what colours!


   Crimson Waxcap and friend



              
                  Life in the woods


Pushing through the leaves

              
                    Autumn woodland scene - golden leaves and huge Bracket fungus on a large old Beech



Colour in the moss


                
                   Deep in the conifers!


Fly Agaric - a young one


               
                   Autumn scene 


 Perfection!


                
                   Pure magic! Speechless!!


   Where are the fairy folk?


         
             White Spindles or Pointed Club?