Kings of the Forest

Kings of the Forest

NCAR11D-265

October 23, 2011

After a summer of light rainfall and pretty dry conditions, followed by a quick descent into fall, I had lost much hope that the fungi would bloom.  Warm, moist conditions were ideal for these all-important decomposers to put forth their fruit and spread their spores before winter fell.  However, I think with our fall storms coming through, it helped give them the boost, for hiking through Uwharrie National Forest a week ago brought close to two dozen different mushrooms into view, from Lepiota like these guys to coral fungi as big as my head.  It was impressive.  I wanted, with this image, to switch up the size orientation, get a better look at the world of the fungi not shooting down from a standing position, but instead at their level.  I like the size difference, and the image that conveys how large these fungi loom in the forest ecosystem.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Sigma 10-20 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  11 mm

Exposure: 1/80 @ f/4.2 ISO 400

Post-processing: Minor tone adjusted with PS 4 and LR 1.4.

Tropical Fungi Bloom

Tropical Fungi Bloom

GUAT07D-208

June 5, 2007

Back to fungi again today, because they are just such amazing things, and yet so beautiful.  After showing off some fungi growing in my own neighborhood this week, today's image comes from Guatemala, deep in the ruins of a Mayan city, Aguateca.  This lichen-draped ruined city is deep in the jungle of Central America, and is quite isolated, requiring an hour boat ride to get there.  But the ruins represent a great example of how the jungle, and how nature in general, can reclaim the works of man.  This log, covered in moss and lichen, actually has two species growing on it, these beautiful basidiomycetes on their stalks, and the tiny white wood decayers in the background to the left.  Both thriving in the humidity and heat of the jungle, and doing their part to break down the wood and return nutrients to the soil.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  135 mm

Exposure: 3 sec @ f/16 ISO 200

Post-processing: Tone adjusted with PS 4 and LR 1.4

Lepiota Edge

Lepiota Edge

NCAR11D219

September 24, 2011

One of the most recent photos I've had the chance to take, and it's quite a subject.  Ah, fall showers, with warm temperatures, has brought a bounty of fungi to the surface this week.  My neighborhood is practically blossoming with these crazy decomposers, so essential to the ecosystem, and in such a variety of colors.  Here we have a cluster of fungi that is (tentatively) identified as a Lepiota spp.  I haven't gotten farther than that.  But it is this beautiful orange color, delicate as well; additional rainshowers have dampened their edges and even crushed some of them.  But they are still incredible organisms, and it is nice to see them lounging around my yard and neighborhood. Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 105 f/2.8 micro

Focal length:  105 mm

Exposure: 1/200 @ f/4.0 ISO 400

Post-processing: Tone adjusted and using and PS 4 and LR1.54