A walk along the canal towpath a few days before Christmas produced two or perhaps three different species of earthstar growing under the hedge in a couple of miles between Compton and Castlecroft.
Earthstars are exotic-looking fungi which are not particularly common. Collared earthstars like this one are the easiest to find although most field guides rate them as “infrequent”.
This was one of several fruiting bodies – the others half-hidden by vegetation and fallen leaves. Overnight rain had left it with a small pool of water and a slightly shiny surface.