mushrooms: slimy, beautiful, scary

When we think of mushrooms, we might think of food, of things that grow on rotten wood, and maybe even of mold. What they are in a more technical sense, is the fruiting bodies of a much larger organism – the fungus itself. Fungi are extremely important parts of ecosystems. Not only do they contribute to the decomposition of organic matter, and thus make sure that our forests aren’t filled with dead things (and more importantly, that nutrients are recycled), but their positive effect on the growth and well-being of trees has huge indirect effects on the atmosphere. Mostly, the fungus is underground – but when it needs to spread its spores, it produces a growth above ground which makes it easier for the spores to reach a larger area. This growth is called a mushroom.

Mushrooms are conspicuous and often quite beautiful. I think it’s nice to remember that these small organisms that we see in the forest are actually just an expression of a much larger creature that lives underground.

Anyway, it’s the wrong season for them here, so maybe it’s the right time to remember them. I hope you enjoy the photos!

A fungus on a tree (I earlier claimed it was a polypore, but thanks to a clever reader, I’m now questioning that very much).

Some mushrooms are small…

… some are bigger. I found this one in the forest next to my summer cottage.

Some are toxic, like this beautiful fly agaric.

A polypore on a fallen tree. Polypores aren’t actually mushrooms – their fruiting bodies are instead called conks. They are often found on trees, where they decompose wood. They come in various shapes, shades and sizes, and just seeing the picture of one allows me to feel the smell of forest…

Tags: autumn, conk, decomposing, environment, fall, fungi, mushroom, mushrooms, nature, photography, polypore, toadstool

12 thoughts on “mushrooms: slimy, beautiful, scary”

alessandro ciapanna on April 17, 2013 at 14:36 said:

Excellent use of light!

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- hannele on April 17, 2013 at 15:09 said:
  
  thanks a lot, alessandro! 🙂
  
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lylekrahn on April 17, 2013 at 22:27 said:

Those are exceptional. I particularly like the first one.

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- hannele on April 17, 2013 at 23:10 said:
  
  thank you!
  
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sedeer on April 19, 2013 at 23:10 said:

Wonderfully evocative pictures — they look like a glimpse into a fairytale world! I particularly like the first one…it looks like something from Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal. Thanks for sharing these! 🙂

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- hannele on April 20, 2013 at 11:04 said:
  
  Thanks a lot! I really like them myself, but wasn’t sure anyone else would… 🙂
  
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eremophila on April 21, 2013 at 08:03 said:

Wonderful stunning images, and yes, I can almost smell some of their environment! Fungi season is just beginning over here, although this area doesn’t quite have your range of fungi perhaps…
I still remember the first time I saw a fly agaric in the flesh – I’d thought they only belonged to fairy books before that!

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- hannele on April 21, 2013 at 18:40 said:
  
  thanks a lot for your comment, eremophila! the fly agaric is quite common here, but still very beautiful to me.
  
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antyscience on May 22, 2013 at 11:37 said:

That first one is stunning! How did you get the lighting so perfect?

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- hannele on May 22, 2013 at 12:48 said:
  
  It’s the magic of an overcast day in a forest – there isn’t much light, but it’s perfect for photography. 🙂 Glad you like it!
  
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  - antyscience on May 22, 2013 at 17:55 said:
    
    So tripod+long exposure then? 🙂
  - hannele on May 22, 2013 at 23:53 said:
    
    No, it was actually handheld: 1/50s, ISO800.