The place was covered with snow today. I thought it wouldn’t be suitable for a fungi hunt, but I decided to pop into the woodland anyway, though I wasn’t expecting to see any. To my surprise, I found a few.
So very early this morning, as soon as the sun was rising, I headed to the woodland.
The path to the woodland was all white, and no one had stepped there except me and a few animals before me, leaving footprints that were very pretty to look at.
And here's what I found...
This tree had fallen and was full of lichen. I always see these Ramalina types around, but I thought it was nice to see them covered with snow.
They were frozen, but the next day, when defrosted, they will be just as perked up as fresh. During summer, they dry up as if they are dead.
They are meant to be a sign of good air quality when they are thriving in an area.
I walked a little further and came across this pile of chunky logs.
And there were some Turkey Tails.
Behind them were small ones just fruiting.
On the floor, this small log had a little striking orange spot.
I looked closer and it was a tiny Velvet Shank, the first one I’ve seen this year!
Beside it was another branch with something growing.
Some Candlesnuff Fungus
Old Artist Bracket
Then I notice the logs are all spotty today.
I looked closer, and fungi were growing everywhere on the logs.
They are one of the crust fungi
More crust fungus.
I was stunned by this almost bleeding wood. I wasn't entirely sure what it was, but some fungi cause this pigment. It’s not sap, but fungal metabolites. It is part of how the fungus colonises and defends its territory.
It was getting really cold, so I headed home and had a cuppa by the window, and thought that was a lovely fungi hunt!
Wishing everyone a lovely day and a happy New Year!
Mariah :)