Moulin Rouge - Petticoats and Can-Can

[Bruce Williams]

So did you guess what it was gonna be ?

If anybody can give me a pointer to identification it would be much appreciated. Pine needles are Scots Pine (5 to 6cm).

Minolta A2, ISO 100, 1/100s at f/7.1, flash fired pp in CS2

Bruce

[Ken Ramos]

Pulled out my trusty Smithsonian Handbook on Mushrooms but could not find an exact match, however, they do resemble the Inky Cap variety of mushrooms, judging by the shape of the caps and bunched up as they are. Quite a beautiful shot there Bruce, fungi like these can be quite beautiful and photogenic.

[MacroLuv]

Very nice Bruce.
Beautiful photo!

... fungi like these can be quite beautiful and photogenic.

Especially if they pull up their skirts like this!

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your comments guys.

Thanks for trying to check out the id Ken. Fungi can be really tough to identify don't you think! I'll use your suggestion as a start point for further investigation.

This group was growing on a stump in a fairly dark part of the forest . However the white was so bright that I was able to see them from a quite considerable distance.

Bruce

[beetleman]

Excellent photo Bruce. I suspect with all the rain you received this year that the mushroom hunting will be rather good this fall.

[Ken Ramos]

I am not sure Bruce but probably the most exacting way to ID them would be to take a look at the spores, though no average field guide will reference such material or though I would think but you never know. My Smithsonian Guide is pretty thorough but you also have to consider "who's" using it.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Doug - I hope you're right about that as I plan to focus on fungi over the next couple of months (no pun intended ). Out of interest, on the strength of your excellent postings using the 250D close-up lens I've bought Hoya +2 and +4 close up lenses for my Minolta A2 and will be posting my first results in the next hour or so.

Thanks Ken - It would appear that you are spot-on with your words of caution as I received the following from a UK expert on fungi:

"...The photo does show a Mycena (sps.) but I'd hesitate to go any further because you would need to know a lot more information to narrow it down (including whether it had a distinctive smell) and it usually requires a look at the cystidia under the microscope to be sure."

Bruce

[Adrian]

Hmm thats odd, I dont recall any Myena having characteristics like the fungus in your photograph. (confused)

I agree that the easyest way to identify fungus is with viewing the spores under a microscope.

And yes, I totaly agree it can be very tough identifying fungus, theres just so many, espeically even tougher without spore samples.

But dont let that stop you from photographing the wonderfull, beautiful, facinating! world of fungus!!, i dont let it stop me!

Thanks.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Adrian. I'm fortunate to live fairly close to a country park that holds the record for the 3rd greatest number of different fungi recorded in one year. Weather permitting I plan to visit at least once a week over the next few months and photograph as many species as I can.

Bruce

[tpe]

Now that title was deceptive, and slightly worrying that you make the association between a line of pretty girls and a line of fungi? Err, irrespective of if there is a rational link there somewhere on not, but at least is shows you love your art Just kidding, great shot, and very pleasing on the eye .

tim

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Tim.

Isn't it a pity that they didn't have the colour of Fly Agaric - that would really complete the Can-Can comparison

Bruce