Your Best Fungal Finds of 2008!

[NickCantle]

Yep, you read it! Inspired by Jason's thread of a similar nature.

I'm interested to know what you good people would regard as your best fungus find of the last year. You can interpret 'best' as you wish to do so- it may be your favourite, the tastiest you've found, the most significant, a new record.. you get the gist I'd love to see photographs where possible

I'll get the ball rolling with a few of my finds of 2008.

The start of year, when foraying with David (Cybershot) and 'Shrooms ABFG', we stumbled upon the beautiful species that is 'Arrhenia chlorocyanea'. A Red Data list species, that I would have taken more time to photograph had I known about the significance of its rarity. Here is an image taken by Cybershot which is much, much better than mine;



I was lucky enough to have a patch of Boletus edulis that didn't want to stop producing for me, so I've got enough dried Ceps to last me until next season!







Then in mid September, I was strolling through one of my patches when faced with the King of the Amanita family. Amanita strobiliformis. A massive agaric, but beautifully magnificent;



(For extra information on this species, please see 'King Of Amanitas.)

I've been relatively pleased with my progress in study of genus Cortinarius. I've managed to identify a few this season and I hope to be able to raise that number a little next year. My favourite Cortinarius is by far, Cortinarius torvus (purely because it was the first Cortinarius that I'd identified).



Not too long ago, I had my first Pheolepiota aurea, which I was and still am over the moon about. This was a mushroom that I'd seen in books for ten years or so and wished I could find, and then I did;



It's been a good year for learning too- but every year seems to bring new things to your attention. My first volume of Fungi Of Switzerland has been acquired, I have my Microscope, I have that little bit more field knowledge and all of this will give me that little bit more confidence needed to identify and record next season.

I've seen many species new to me this year which is absolutely great and I'm just glad I have seen such diverse and wonderful species.

These include Rhodotus palmatus, Cortinarius bolaris, a couple of Geoglossum, Hygrocybe chlorophana, Hygrocybe psittacina, Entoloma pleopodium and the wonderful Pluteus umbrosus at Clumber park.

I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing about yours,

Merry Christmas,

Nick

[ron1863]

Nice one Nick and a so original thread

I am a newbie to Fungi and don't really have a best find as they are all fascinating to me so I will just post a few shots of the ones I personally like:

[watsthat]

Here are some pictures of my current pride & joy, a beautiful ring of Trooping Funnel that have stood since the beginning of November, having withstood some very hard frosts.






Merry Christmas to all

Pete

[cutecoot]

I think mine has to be this one:



Many zoned polypore - purely because it looked so beautiful. Couldn't identify what type of wood it was growing on, it was just a pile of mixed logs.

and this:



Shaggy/smooth earth tongue (not sure which?), because it looks quite sinister!

[leifus]

I am alos a newbie to fungi this year but I liked.....

Hygrocybe coccinea



Lepista flaccida



Lepista nuda

[NickCantle]

Lovely stuff chaps, and let me say how good it is to see more and more people becoming interested in this fantastic subject

Keep then coming!

[Lancashire Lad]

OK - You asked for it.

I like these because they were the first fungi that I ever photographed - earlier this year: -
Still Unidentified Hygrocybe miniata (I think).

I like this, simply because slime mould is such strange stuff.
(I think it has been accepted that this is most likely Brefeldia maxima).


And I like these, just because they made nice pics.

Mycena inclinata----Mycena alcalina--------Mycena arcangeliana

Regards
Mike.

[CapAndBracket]

Coprinus sterquilinus, if only i had dried one of these for the spores to try and
culture.

Cheers J.P.

[diggleken]

great idea!
i have loved making so many finds, the glorious prettiness of of old favourites like waxcaps, partic snowy always stands out and that green stemmed mycena epiptyrigia, but the best , I was so surprised one throwing it down howling wind moorland walk day was Scarlet Caterpillar.
An oh my god (or whoever) moment for me.
To get a good photo in those conditions was a boost too!
So I'll share it again!
Ken

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

OK - You asked for it.

I Hygrocybe miniata (I think).

Regards
Mike.

Mike, I think your miniata is correct (bear in mind my lack of expertise though !) - the size and scurfiness on the cap is a big pointer and I went through some experts to confirm mine,which looks like yours.
Ken