December 12, 2015

Mysterious, Fascinating, December Fungi

fungus b1

fungus b2

fungus b3

fungus a1

fungus a2

(Still shopping for the holidays? I am! Check the "Products" tab for a few gift ideas.)

22 comments:

  1. That first one is particularly strange looking - I've never seen fungi with grass growing through it!

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    1. I know--I thought it was a leaf, until I tried to pick it up. It was anchored to the soil, and you can see it's a fungi from the side. The number and diversity of fungi fascinate me. It seems like there's always a new one to discover!

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  2. I adore looking at fungi in fall and with the warmer temps we have more time to do so!! You have some beauties there. And some great gift ideas....

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    1. Me, too. I thought the first one was a leaf and the second one animal parts -- until I looked closer. I actually accidentally stepped on the one that's smashed. Kind of freaked out thinking it was a partially eaten animal until I realized it was a fungus. Wild.

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  3. So many fascinating forms, Beth! I haven't seen any here; I guess it's time I go looking before all this rain turns to snow. Tnank you for well wishes with my mom, too. :-)

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    1. Yes, there are so many life forms living in our world in every season. You're right--most years, it would either be uncomfortably cold or snowy this time of year. So we'd be less likely to notice these things. I'm always excited to find new fungi.

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  4. very fascinating and mysterious. I am definitely a bit of a fungi-holic so adore this post.

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    1. Me, too. Glad you enjoyed it. I thought the first one was a leaf, and the second one animal body parts -- until I looked closer. Fun finds. :)

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  5. Reminds me that I saw some and wanted to get out with my camera and forgot.....

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    1. I know, I was planning to hunt more, too, but busy holiday stuff and rain kept me inside. Fungi are so fascinating, aren't they?!

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  6. The fungi world is fascinating! I once thought all mushrooms looked more or less alike. I am learning how wrong I was!

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    1. I wish I could identify them. I admit, I only know a few by sight. That's why I don't eat the ones I find (well, I do eat Morels, but they're easy to ID). So fun to find, though--especially ones I've never seen before.

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  7. Are you sure they aren't alien life forms?

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    1. Ha! That's what I thought about the pink ones, until I realized they were mushrooms. I actually thought maybe a hawk had eaten an animal in the spot, and that the mushrooms were entrails. But I had stepped on one by accident, and then it was apparent it was a mushroom.

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  8. Fungi are always fascinating and fantastic to photograph, but these look really .... different!

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    1. Yes, agreed! I thought the pink ones were animal entrails when I first chanced upon them--until I looked closer. I don't recall seeing these before. Fun to discover.

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  9. Great shots, Beth. That last one is so...fleshy looking. I've also had some fungi in my gardens recently, but of a more typical "mushroom" form.

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    1. Thanks, Tina. I actually used my iPhone, which worked OK. Yes, I thought the pink ones were animal parts--partially eaten by a predator--until I looked closer. It's such fun to discover new fungi. Regular, more common ones are fascinating, too.

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  10. That is indeed some funky fungi. I can honestly say I have not seen anything like that, but I haven't had time to go walking lately -- but then, I seem to be doing plenty of that at work these days.

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    1. Funky fungi--that's a good way to put it! That would have been a better title! I need to walk more. I don't get enough exercise during the winter--I don't like to go out in the cold. I'm a wimp.

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  11. As always, really terrific photos! This is happening here as well, hellebores in full bloom, daffs making their way up in the mud. But these fungi are fascinating--I know very little about them...almost afraid to turn my back on some of them-:)

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    1. Thanks, Susie. Sometimes the iPhone works OK for these purposes. LOL--afraid to turn your back. In a silly way, I understand what you mean. ;-)

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