Sunday, November 02, 2008

Fungi watching

Is birdwatching like train spotting? I like to think not, but that's probably because I like watching birds, not trains! There is an element of ticking the box even for those of us who don't keep lists. I'm not putting down those who do keep lists, and I'll travel locally to see unusual birds. I'm still disappointed to have not even sniffed a Dartford warbler in Dorset. But I can live without a list. To prove it here are some fungi that I have enjoyed but can't reliably put a name to. I'll have a guess at a couple, but not with anything more than hope. And I don't care.

Mosaic puffball? The first is a ball that hasn't yet broken open, but the cracks are beginning to appear.
Snowy waxcap?? The cap was a bit slimy (sticky strands attached to my fingers), but it seems quite a few species are, especially if wet.
Chanterelle sp.????
As for the rest I'm currently pretty clueless. The bracket fungi were on a large oak up the lane (the trunk is large, the top a bit (lot) cut back. Sadly.) In fact they were all growing alongside local roads, adjacent to broad leaved woodland.


If you know what any of these are please let me know. Better quality shots on the web album - look at 'latest pictures' here

2 comments:

Jane Adams said...

I've no idea either! (don't have my fungi book to hand I'm afraid) but great pictures. Love fungi. Sometimes it's nice to photograph something that doesn't run or fly away! By the way if you want to see Dartford Warbler you should come to Upton Heath in Dorset (I live right next door to it) it was literally covered in DW this year... I've never seen so many. Lets hope it's a mild winter so that they don't get wiped out by the cold... Jane

Brian said...

I had my first ever trip to Dorset earlier this year, and loved it, despite the lack of DW's! I plan to return and will add Upton Heath to the list. Thanks for the tip. Brian.