and so begins Autumn..

My favourite time of year-but the ground is so dry underfoot that the fungi season has had a slow start. In comparison to last year the fungi are much smaller and there is not enough rain to sustain them.
 I'm keeping my fingers crossed though for some wet and mild weather over the next few weeks...
 The way I'll display my fungi pictures this season will be slightly different too, due to the macro ring I have (still saving for that macro lens!). 
 Unless I come across something I didn't spot last year the focus is really the interest I have in the intricate patterns and relationships the fungi has with it's environment...

Orange Peel Fungus Aleuria aurantia

I love the way that the white patches on this Bolete look raised- in actual fact they are where the flesh has been nibbled away... 

don't know how she snuck in..!

a lovely piece of bark

Yelow Swamp Brittlegill Russula claroflava

the Boletes remain my favourites and are always associated with a particular tree; can't recall if this one was found by birch or oak so can't identify it-not helpful!

Shaggy Parasol Chlorophyllum rhacodes

Bay Bolete Boletus badius

the good old Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria - I've noticed these are in short supply this year and most are being eaten before they even reach maturity in the woods I frequent

Spiny Puffball Lycoperdon echinatum

Lepista sordida, a Wood Blewit

Chicken-Of -the-Woods Laetiporus sulphureus - a splendid large bracket fungus which apparently smells of lemons and then mice as it gets older.Can't say I noticed it smelling of lemons and not sure I want to know what mice smell like

squeezing itself between two pieces of bark to get to the light