Cragg Vale 15-08-13

A few more Cordyceps to add to the collection!

Ophiocordyceps ditmarii - my photos above and below.

Michael's photos of the Cordyceps above and below.

Suede Bolete (Xerocomus subtomentosus).

Oliver wanted to leave this dung fungi in situ to revisit and identify another day.

Oliver's keen eyes spotted this toad peeking out from the water.

Michael's photo of Oliver contemplating our morning over a glass of lemonade at the Hinchcliffe Arms

Scarletina Bolete (Boletus luridiformis) 14-08-13

Michael called and told us he had found lots of Boletes, so off we went to meet him at Skircoat Green to photograph them. They were masses of them down each side of the road, all varying in size with the largest one being 16 cm in diameter. Oliver was very impressed because there were so many of them.

Michael's photo above.

Michael's photo above.

My microscopic image of the spores 12.5- 15.5 x 4.5-6

Ryburn Valley 12-08-13

Michael and I had a short walk through the valley and we managed to find these species below.

Red Cracking Bolete (Xerocomus chrysenteron). Michael's photo.

Suede Bolete (Xerocomus subtomentosus).

Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus).

Beechwood Sickener (Russula nobilis Velen, syn. R.mairei Singer). My photo above and Michael's brilliant one below.

Bolete Mould (Hypomyces chrysospermus). 

Asexual spores 10.5-13.

Jumble Hole Clough 09-08-13

Chris Yeates joined Oliver, Michael and myself for a foray up the clough. It was a pleasure to meet him and his knowledge and expertise was amazing! 

Michael's photograph above.

We managed to find five or six Ophiocordyceps ditmarii on the way up and there easily spotted as their fertile heads were popping up out of the mossy substrate.  The absolutely fantastic images above are courtesy of Chris.

Deer Shield (Pluteus cervinus).

Matt Bolete (Boletus pruinatus).

Spores 12-14.5 x 4.5-5.75

Egghead Mottlegill (Panaeolus semiovatus).

Crystal Brain (Myxarium nucleatum).

Common Stump Brittlestem (Psathyrella piluliformis).

Spores 4.5- 6.5 - 3-4.

Orange Mosscap (Rickenella fibula). 

We happened to see a very shy herd of Angora goats on the way back down the clough.

Ryburn Valley 08-08-13

Oliver, Michael and I had a saunter through the valley and found a very colourful Bolete, a very dainty parasitic Mosscap and I think I should have brought some abseiling equipment to photograph the Laetiporus sulphureus, it would have been a lot easier! 

Inkstain Bolete (Boletus pulverulentus), Michael's photo in situ and my photograph taken at home immediately after I sliced it in half.

Chicken of The Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus).

Orange Mosscap (Rickenella fibula), Michael's photograph. Thanks goes to Chris Yeates who identified it for us on a foray the following day.

Luddenden Dene 06-08-13

Michael and I had a short walk through the Luddenden valley this afternoon, whilst Oliver insisted on going to the park with his Grandma.

Looking across the Luddenden valley, Michael's photograph.

Red Cracking Bolete (Boletus chrysenteron).

Dung Roundhead (Protostroparia semiglobata) above and below.

Spores 16-17.5 x 9-10.

Park Wood, Elland-Pluteus leoninus 04-08-13

Oliver, Michael and myself had a foray in the wood and we managed to find the rare Pluteus leoninus a great record for Calderdale. It stood out like a beacon under the leaf canopy and it was really difficult to photograph in situ due to the poor light conditions so Michael had use his flash. We can only find two records in the past 10 years for Vice-county 63, however Michael does have previous records for this area, details which I don't have to hand right now.

Lion Shield (Pluteus leoninus). Michael's photograph in situ.

My photo above and Michael's below - both photographs were taken out of the wood in the daylight

Gills of the Pluteus leoninus, taken later at home.

Fairy Inkcap (Coprinus disseminatus) Michael's photo above and mine below. There were hundreds of them trooping over a rotten stump.

Collared Parachute Parachute (Marasmius rotula), thanks Chris.

Fairy Ring Champignon 04-08-13

Michael Sykes alerted us to the location of a fairy ring on King Cross Road and when we found it Oliver pretended to be an elf and sat inside it for a picture. I shall have to buy and elf costume for future photo shoots!

Fairy Ring Champignon (Marasmius oreades).