Taking the path into the quarry, it climbs slightly through a thicket of trees to reach a small clearing where foxes sometimes bathe in the morning sun. On this path through the thicket, the leaves were turning to mulch with each foot that bore down. There to the side of the path stood a group of Shaggy Ink Cap, tightly bunched – a fungi wood on the thicket floor.
In my nature book they are described as “at first egg-shaped and whitish with shaggy fibres, shrouds stem. Expands with age and, together with gills, blackens and liquifies*”. As I was taking pictures of this species in its latter stages I was lucky enough to stumble upon a new set of this fungi in its early egg like stage. So here are images of the Shaggy Ink Cap.
* Complete British Wildlife by Paul Sterry
Incredible images, MM.
LikeLike
Thank you so much WildSherkin, it took a bit of time to get the right shots. MM 🍀
LikeLike
Kindred spirits on the muddy knees photo capturing moments MM !
Lovely shots indeed .
LikeLike
👍 thanks Poppytump 😃
LikeLike
I love it. I can smell the damp earth from here. 🙂
LikeLike
That’s brilliant, thanks so much for these words. Enjoy the weekend. MM 🍀
LikeLike
They are all so rustic and very mushroomy, lol. Love them!
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed, have a great weekend Laura, MM 🍀
LikeLike
You too! 🙂
LikeLike
Love the photos and the angle you took them from MM! It’s cool how you can see the texture of those Ink Caps, the sharpness on those cap edges. The slightly muddy leaves on the ground give a great Autumn forest mood. Close ups like these are the best!
LikeLike
Thank you Elina, I think you are on the same wavelength. Just as in ‘Fallen’, I had to get my knees muddy to get the right angle. Have a good weekend Elina, MM 🍀
LikeLike
Yes, muddy knees.. that’s how I often end up also 🙂 Have a good weekend MM!
LikeLike
Especially love the first one. made me smile 🙂 happy Friday
LikeLike
Hi Regina, I was thinking of just posting the first photo only, but then added the other two. Have a great weekend down there in beautiful West Cork. 🍀
LikeLike