The golden sunset was inviting me yesterday to wander into the woods. Just before it got dark, I set out for a fungi hunt. One thing I was sure of was that it would get darker soon, so I was prepared with my torch to shine through the mushrooms if ever I saw one.
As usual, I had company, only one this time, as the other was not in the mood.
Blu happily followed me.
We entered the woodland, and the setting sun shone through the trees, making some places bright and leaving others in shadow.
Mushrooms always hide in the dark places underneath trees or bushes. The usual ones I always spot first appeared, a few new weeping widows.
Then, fiery mushrooms will now sprout here and there.
and this time, there were the young ones.
It’s amazing how the others have disappeared in just a few days, a bit of sunshine, and they all wilted to none.
Just like this one growing on a rotting log, I have missed its prime.
Then, just a few steps, one hiding behind some greens.
I brushed the greens off, and realised it was a deer mushroom.
Deer mushrooms are frequently eaten by deer, hence their name. Make's sense as lots of deer around here.
So in mushroom hunting, if you miss the opportunity, you lose it.
I walked further down the woodland, still hopeful to find more.
On one side were piles of decaying wood. From afar, I could tell mushrooms were growing on them.
I looked closer, and I was right.
One thing about mushrooms is that they almost seem to stand out, probably because they all have a little bit of bioluminescence in them.
Almost like their own little world, they were sulfur tuft mushrooms.
These were cascading beautifully on a mossy, rotting wood.
They were fighting for space!
Sulfur tuft mushrooms are bright yellow and grow in tufts or clusters, hence their name, and they often have brown in the centre. Sometimes they have wavy edges. They are smooth but turn sticky when wet and are darker toward the base.
Once older, their gills turn greenish-olive or darkish gray.
They are not edible, smell unpleasant, and are apparently very bitter.
These few I nearly missed, tucked in cosily as if ready for the cold night, just about shone in the light of my torch.
As it grew darker and the woodland became eerier, we headed home just before the sun had completely set. The whole fungi hunt opened up to a peaceful night.
Wishing everyone a lovely day! Mariah :)