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Snowy wax cap

Snowy wax cap

The snowy wax cap, Hygrocybe nivea, is bright white in colour.

Despite this, it can be hard to spot lurking in short grass in places like sportsfields or lawns.

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Rose hips

Rose hip

Bright colours aren’t always a sign that something should not be eaten.

During the second world war, schoolkids were sent to pick rosehips, which are a rich source of vitamin C.

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Bolbitius vitellinus

Bolbitius vitellinus

This tiny and brightly coloured mushroom doesn’t have a common English name. Bolbitius vitellinus can be found hiding in short grass. Like many things in nature, its colour is the clue that it shouldn’t be eaten.

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Tiny fairiesbonnets

Fairies' bonnets

These mushrooms, growing through moss, were only about a quarter of an inch high.

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Feathered Thorn Moth

Feathered Thorn Moth

This moth was attracted to settle on a window by the brightness of the house lights.

The feathery antenna is a characteristic feature of this species.

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Coprinus domesticus

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davea2007//4045586259

Another species of inkcap. Although it is fairly common, and reasonably conspicuous, it does not have a generally accepted English name. Surprisingly few species of fungi do.

Coprinus domesticus

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David

Goose

Goose

There were only traces of colour on the feathers and beak of this goose, which is probably a cross between a barnacle goose and a white one.

It was happily swimming in the canada goose flock in West Park.

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Shaggy parasol

Shaggy parasol

This recently emerged specimen of Coprinus comatus shows the beginning of the cracking of the cap covering which will eventually become the “shagginess” when it is more fully-grown.

This pattern is seen in the more developed, and parasol-shaped, fruiting body below.

Shaggy parasol

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Squirrel

Squirrel

This squirrel almost seemed to be posing to have its picture taken.

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Lifecycle of a toadstool

Shaggy inkcap

This is what a shaggy inkcap, also known as the lawyer’s wig fungus, looks like when it has only recently emerged.

As it sheds its spores, the cap of the mushroom appears to eat itself from the rim inwards.  This one is well on the way.

Shaggy inkcap

This grouping show more advanced stages in the process.

Shaggy inkcap

Finally, the cap is reduced to a blackened rim around the stem.

Shaggy inkcap

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Yew berries

Yew

These yew berries don’t just look beautiful. They appear good enough to eat. But, like virtually every part of the tree, they are poisonous.

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Common funnel cap

Common funnel cap

This toadstool was growing in heavy shade under leylandii.

The ones below, pictured at the same time, were a couple of days old.

Common funnel cap