When does Fungi appear

[alanclarke]

Hi all,

I am hoping I can pick some of the brains of the forum users. I am a keen photographer, normally phtographing people. However I love to be out and about and I recently saw another photographers Fungi photos and was inspired.

I've not found anything interesting yet, however I am thinking that it is probably the time of year.

Can any of you tell me when is the best time to find wild Funghi, I image a lot of it is seasonal?

Any hints or tips most welcome.

MAny thanks,

Alan.

[ron1863]

I am a novice in the fungi field, but the majority fruit in late summer and autumn, though there are species that fruit in spring and summer and even a few in winter, so there are always some available to photograph.

[cybershot]

A glance through the fungi section of the WAB Gallery should bear out what Ron said and give you some indication of what's about and when Alan. Welcome to WAB btw.

David

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi Alan, and welcome to WAB.

Like you, my interest in fungi began through photography. In fact before September last year, I'd never taken any interest in them, but since then, I've photographed about 100 different species.

As has been said, they can be found all year, but the main "fungi" period, is supposedly late summer through to early winter. However, the fungi don't always appear to know that , and the typical season for any given species varies tremendously from what some of the feild-guides would have you believe.

There is quite a lot about at present, including: - Turketail, Hairy Curtain Crust, Cramp Balls, Jelly Ear, Common Jellyspot, Coral Spot, Silverleaf Fungus, Oyster Fungus, Scarlet Elf Cup, many of the Bracket Fungi to mention but a few. (I've seen all of these in the last week).

You say that you haven't seen anything interesting yet - well it is just a matter of "getting your eye in". Once you start seeing them, they are all over the place.

I would recommend buying a pocket sized photo field guide, and just have a few hours wandering around in a mixed deciduous woodland. I'd be surprised if you didn't see most, if not all of the above, and probably quite a few more.

My other recommendations would be to wear a pair of stong waterproof boots, and possibly a pair of gaiters/overtrousers, and to take something waterproof to kneel on. (I use a piece of heavy duty pvc sheet about a metre square, which easily folded & pocketable). It is amazing how many times the best specimens seem to be growing in wet or muddy parts of the woods.

As far as camera gear goes, realistically you don't need more than your camera+macro lens+tripod. Flash is a personal preference, but I like natural light and always use tripod & timer release - 5 second exposures are fairly normal in shady spots. I occasionally use a small reflector to aim more light into the shadow parts of the pic.

Hopefully the above might be of some use, and I look forward to seeing some of your pics in the not too distant future.

Regards
Mike.

[KeenTeen17]

If your into photography - the scarlet elf cups are bright red and make a very good photo. Theres just the problem of finding them and getting to them.

[cybershot]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

If your into photography - the scarlet elf cups are bright red and make a very good photo. Theres just the problem of finding them and getting to them.

With 15 images, from up and down the country, of Scarlet Elfcup already in the WAB Gallery so far this year, it doesn't appear to be a problem.

Keep on looking in the right spots KT

[flaxton]

Originally Posted by cybershot

With 15 images, from up and down the country, of Scarlet Elfcup already in the WAB Gallery so far this year, it doesn't appear to be a problem.

For some maybee

Mal