Lepista flaccida (Tawny Funnel) in Hardcastle Crags, 22/12/2012

 Lepista flaccida (Tawny Funnel). Many thanks to Mal, at the Mid-Yorks Fungi Group who identified it.

I would not usually put Oliver's gorgeous face on the Blog, but I just wanted to make a visual comparison as it was huge - 20 cm diameter.

These were the tiny yellow spindles  I saw yesterday. Calocera cornea (Small Stagshorn).

Steve, yes, just to confirm it is Ganoderma applanatum (Artist's Bracket), after I inscribed Oliver's initials on it.

Hardcastle Crags 21/12/2012

Hardcastle Crags 21/12/2012

I went on a mission to find the Herald of Winter this morning. It was a lovely day and I even saw some sunshine, which was refreshing after the last couple of days of rain.  Unfortunately I did not locate the Herald, however,  it was a productive day after I found the following species below.

Mal has suggested that these are a Lycogala, probably terrestre,  please see comments below.

Olive oysterling (Panellus serotinus), above and below.

Witches' Butter (Exidia glandulosa)

Exidia plana above and below.

Black Bulgar (Bulgaria inquinans).

This may be a Beech Jellydisc or an Ascocoryne species, maybe sarcoides, thanks Bruce.

 Small Stagshorn (Calocera viscosa).

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), above and below.

Crimped Gill (Plicatura crispa) caps above and gills below.

Oliver proposed they are slime mould, may be Leocarpus fragilis

Fungus in Newt Corner, Cromwell Bottom

Here are a couple of fungi seen at Newt Corner, Cromwell Bottom on Saturday 15th Dec 2012

This Bracket was smooth underneath with maze-like pores

Blushing Bracket Daedaleopsis confragosa tricolor  

Jelly Ear

Auricularia auricula-judae ?

The palest I have ever seen

(can you see the cat)?

Hardcastle Crags 17/12/2012

Michael suggested at the HSS (Halifax Scientific Society) social, now was the time of year to look for of Hygrophorous hypothejus (Herald of Winter), which normally appear after the first frosts, around pine trees. I had a one hour window after shopping in Hebden Bridge and I decided to take a quick look and see if I could find it in Hardcastle Crags. Visibility wasn't good, as it was a overcast, wet day. I did find the pine trees but, unfortunately, no Hygrophorous hypothejus. All was no lost however, as I did find these specimens below.

.

Mycena, cap above, gills below

Conifercone Cap (Baeospora myosura).

 . Oliver said they were Beechwoodwart (Hypoxylon fragiforme).

Hypoxylon multiforme (Birch Woodwart).

Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum).

Birch Jelly Fungus (Exidia repanda).

Monthly HSS walk and fungus foray Sat 15th Dec.

We intend to meet at the appointed place as on the Programme Card, (Membership Card), but vary the route.

Instead of going up Stoodley Glen again, it's proposed that we go up Jumble Hole Clough, nearby, on the opposite side of Calder Valley.

The reason for this is to see the spot at which the rare fungus Violet Coral Clavaria zollingeri has appeared. The only known site in Calderdale is at the top of Jumble Hole Clough, and the only person who knows the spot is Michael, so he is going to show some of us and maybe we can get a GPS fix on it. It probably won't be showing at this time of year, and may not appear every year.

This is a monthly walk and is open to all.

The plan is to meet Michael at the top as he's not up to the walk from the valley bottom at the moment, then go on to the New Delight at Jack Bridge at Colden for a pub lunch.

Meet as per the card 10.30 for 10.45 at Eastwood Cricket Ground on the main Hebden Bridge to Todmorden Road.

Meet Michael at the top (near Hippins House) at 12.00, after making our way up, botanising, fungus foraying and bird watching.

Feel free to meet up at either venue.

North Dean Wood 08/12/12

Witches' Butter (Exidia glandulosa)

Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes).

Very pretty Scarlet Elfcups (Sarcoscypha austriaca), a great find for Oliver, who took a specimen to show his friends and teachers at the Christmas Fayre.

RSPB Don't fear fungi

   The RSPB is urging people not to think all fungi are bad. The wildlife charity has admitted it fears fungi could get a bad reputation following recent headlines about ash dieback, the tree disease caused by a fungus called Chalara fraxinea. Martin Harper, the RSPB's director of conservation, said:...       More on this item

From Canal Towpath Copley

Flammulina velutipes  

Velvet Shank, an edible one that can freeze solid then thaw out and continue producing spores.

Coprinus micaceus

 Mycena sp. - a Bonnet

Michael found these yesterday along the canal parallel with Wakefield Rd walking on to Salterhebble.

Hardcastle Crags

I think I found the bracket on the fallen beech tree that you found, Alison.(above). It's very white and smooth underneath leading me to believe it's Artist's Bracket, Ganoderma applanatum.