This was the perfect autumn day with a clear blue sky and temperatures in the upper 60s. Although we found little that was edible (except a few small Giant Puffballs, Pear-shaped Puffballs Velvet-foot and Blewits), the group was fully focused on finding anything fungal and taking the time to really look at their discoveries and learn about them. This is the time of year when many of the wood-dwelling fungi are actively growing and when they look their best. Many mushrooms we might normally ignore, now grab our attention for their striking beauty.

The walk was wonderful, but so was the camaraderie at the picnic tables, where we sat down to enjoy a varied lunch with tasty contributions from everyone. JJ spent much of the time happily cracking walnuts with George's gift to her - and ultimately to us.

Among the fungi recorded are the following:

Gilled Mushrooms: Agaricus campestris; Coprinella micaceus (syn. Coprinus micaceus); Flammulina velutipes; Lepista nuda (syn. Clitocybe nuda); Mycena spp.; Pluteus cervinus; Pluteus longistriatus; Russula spp.; Tectella patellaris
Polypores and Stereums: Daedaleiopsis confragosa; Phlebia radiata; Phlebia tremellosus; Stereum commune; Stereum ostrea; Trichaptum abietinum; Trichaptum biformis; Xylobolus frustulatus
Gasteromycetes: Calvatia gigantea; Lycoperdon perlatum; Lycoperdon pyriforme
Jellies: Auricularia auricula; Dacrymyces palmatus; Tremella foliacea
Ascomycetes: Chlorociboria aeruginascens
Myxomycetes: Lycogala epidendrum

Please click on each photo to see a larger version.
Dianna