I arrived back in Foyers on Sunday. After two days of wettish snowfall today dawned bright and sunny.
I was wondering whether to keep blogging and have decided to but with a bit more discipline. I’ll start saving images and posting them in rough categories rather than in the hotchpotch of disparate subject matter that has been my want. I am leaving comments enabled but have almost decided to see if e-mails are a better way of answering queries or receiving clarification on the things I have seen.
YELLOW BRAIN FUNGUS. Tremella mesenterica.
It is a parasitic fungus and is usually found growing on Peniophora but in this instance it appears to be growing on a small lichen, possibly Cladonia fimbriata.
I don’t know whether the translucent globules are just old age or the result of frost damage. It isn’t slimy. This is by far the biggest colony of it I've seen and looks to be growing on a broken Silver Birch sapling. The black stuff in the background of the last shot does look like one of the Penoiphoras. Whatever; it is beautiful stuff.
LUNGWORT, Lobaria pulmonaria.
I was like a dog with two tails when I came across this. It is a massive lichen and has colonised what I think is a fallen Alder. The individual specimens are between 80mm and 200mm across. What the dark brown stuff is I don’t know. It’s possibly just dead ones.
All todays images were shot with a 100mm Canon macro lens though few are better than close ups.
Good to see you back. These are really great and interesting looking macros!
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Thanks Mersad.
DeleteI'm certainly glad that you are keeping on blogging. Blogland would be a poorer place without you...or a less rich place anyway. Obviously over the years I've enjoyed seeing the different places that you have been and often it's been a way of seeing how places have changed since I was last there (which applies to quite a lot of England these days). Now I'm being made more aware of the things that CJ got me interested in many years ago on our walks.
ReplyDeleteGraham, I do enjoy blogging but had got in a rut.
DeleteI wish I knew more about the things I see. It makes a walk exciting.
HI Adrian I wondered where you were and what you were up to so good to have you back in bloggerland! These shots of the Fungi are tremendous. I like the second and last on the best.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, they are the best. True macro at 1:1.
DeleteI was wondering where you'd gotten to! Glad to know you're back in Foyers. You'll be feeling right at home. And Molly and Alf . . .? missed them too. That yellow brain fungus, there - wow.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back. McGregor
McGregor, I got a bit fed up. Brain Fungus is quite common in small clusters on gorse. This is a grand specimen.
DeleteWelcome back! That last photo is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFrances, it is wonderful stuff. It used to be used to cure chest ailments. I don't know if one smoked it or made tea with it.
DeleteGlad to see you back. You were missed. A day without Adrian is like a day without sunshine. (I was going to say a day without Adrian is like a day without fungus, but that didn't sound quite right.)
ReplyDeleteWe are all two-tailed dogs today.
Thanks Bob.
DeleteMesmerizing photos and interesting facts, A!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
Glad you found it interesting Cloudia.
DeleteSuch clear and detailed photos of these most fascinating looking natural wonders! Keep blogging ~ no other options considered ;) It's enlightening seeing the world through your lenses.
ReplyDeleteGlo, its a very good lens and the ring flash saves lugging a tripod about. Not sure what the weight difference is though.
DeleteA cracking set of images to mark your 'return' to blogland Adrian.
ReplyDeleteI can only echo what everyone else is saying, it's a pleasure (and an education?) to read your posts..blogger wouldn't be the same without you...[;o)
Thanks Trevor, the Lungwort was a new tick for me.
DeleteThe education is usually my education. I expected to have misidentified it as usual.
mmm...brain fungus and lung wort. Good thing I already ate lunch ;O)
ReplyDeleteR.Mac, don't worry they are only plants.
DeleteA great set of pictures Adrian. Easy to see how Brain Fungus got its name, and that Lungwort looks pretty special.
ReplyDeleteFrom a personal view, I found daily blogging all a bit too much a while ago. It can take over your life, and I found it to be a chore in the end.
Good luck with what ever you decide.
Keith, the Lungwort is a cracker.
DeleteBlogging can take the best part of half a day. I'll stick with it for now but will only post when I have something worth showing.
Glad to see you back again Adrian. I have been lurking in the shadows for a long while.
ReplyDeleteWe all need a regular dose of Adrian.
Trevor, good to see you around. I hope all is well.
DeleteAdriaan what those yellow vibrating fungus is quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBas, if you look on Gorse you may find some. Exciting stuff.
DeleteThe last one looks just like an Oak leaf, great photos as ever.
ReplyDeletepeter
Thanks Peter.
DeleteI kind of prefer "the hotchpotch of disparate subject matter" But I will have to accept what you do!
ReplyDeleteDale, I have the attention span of a fruit fly so expect normal service to resume shortly.
DeleteMost people, including me, tend to ignore fungus and lichen and go for the flashier vascular stuff. Thanks for plodding on and publicizing lichen.
ReplyDeleteRegarding comments, I've considered changing to not responding but then I think I'd lose a lot of interaction with the followers. I , for one, enjoy the back and forth banter with your comments. I always look to see what Adrian says.
ReplyDeleteRed, I am hopeless at bird and mammal images but do enjoy macro and landscapes.
DeleteI find most meaningful interaction is via e-mail so may go that route. I don't fancy Google+ or Circles. It is too easy for folk to just say "Very Nice."
Brain Fungus is what makes us consider whether or not to continue to blog.... I enjoy your ...output. It doesn't need a lesson plan. As Laura keeps reminding me, just please yourself.
ReplyDeleteBill, I would please myself if I could remember what I find pleasing.
DeleteThose fungus are a world itself
ReplyDeleteLaura, then ther are all the lichens and mosses. It's a world in miniature.
DeleteHope you stick around. I love your posts. I also love helter-skelter, but that's just me.
ReplyDeleteIn the comment world.. I'm pretty dreadful.
Great post!
PS Happy Belated Birthday!
ReplyDeleteLaura, it's the comments I find a trial. Some days it's a pleasure and I feel obliged to reply if people have taken the trouble to comment.
DeleteIt's not nice getting old but thanks.
Glad to hear you're not chucking the towel in.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, no I'm not I'll carry on.
DeleteI have been looking at your posts and find your pictures beautiful. Don't give in! Was wondering what happened to you. Beautiful fascinating images this time! Bet it is damn cold in the forest wondering about. Greetings Raffaela
ReplyDeleteRaffaela, I have plenty of clothes on but my fingers do get frozen. I'm glad you enjoyed these images.
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