David

Geastrum triplex, to give it its official name, is one fungus which would be missed by someone just on the lookout for the classic toadstool shape.

This one disperses its spores through the hole visible in the centre.

This post, along with the harlequin ladybird and the dead man’s fingers, with thanks to the Wildside Activity Centre Fungi Foray, led by Sue Shanks.

This butterfly was resting on a hawthorn branch on 26th September.

Yet another fungus with no resemblence to the stereotype of the toadstool shape.

Xylaria polymorpha can indeed be imagined as long-decayed human fingers. Found on fallen and rotten wood.

This north American species is, by some accounts, threatening to displace the various European species.

This one seems to be under attack by the much smaller aphids, which are in reality its prey.

Armillaria mellea are very variable in appearance. A common fungus, which lives off trees.

Once the fungus gets established, it throws out a whole cluster of fruiting bodies near the base of the trunk. It is always fatal for the tree.

This ladybird was resting on a leaf way back on September 10th.

Autumn is definitely coming when the hawthorn berries take on their full red brightness.

What has eight legs and isn’t a spider?

Lots of creatures, actually. This harvestman is indeed an arachnid, but nevertheless not a spider.

The shaggy parasol, lepiota rhacodes, is one of the most distinctive of the toadstool-shaped fungi.

This specimen had only recently emerged. If it is not disturbed, the cap will flatten as it grows, eventually spreading out to as much as six inches wide while keeping the flaky appearance.

Another inkcap species. Coprinus micaceus gets its official name because the new toadstools, as here, appear to be sprinkled with flecks of mica.

This specimen was growing unnoticed on a tree stump within inches of a kerb.