Ink Caps at Mount Macedon for Sunday Best

 

This photograph was taken during one of my regular excursions to Mount Macedon, a place I frequent for contemplative walks through its verdant woodlands. These foraging wanderings are a source of quiet delight, offering both the invigorating freshness of the forest air and the opportunity to encounter nature’s hidden curiosities—among them, the delicate and often overlooked ink cap mushrooms.

The specimens depicted appear to belong to the Coprinopsis or Coprinellus genus, commonly known as ink caps. These fungi are distinguished by their slender stems and conical to bell-shaped caps, often bearing a dusky sheen when moist. They thrive on decaying wood and forest detritus, emerging in clusters after rain or during periods of high humidity. One of their most striking characteristics is their tendency to deliquesce: as the mushroom matures, the cap begins to liquefy, transforming into a dark, inky fluid—hence their common name.

Among the various species, Coprinopsis atramentaria, also known as the Common Ink Cap or Tippler’s Bane, is notable for its chemical interaction with alcohol; when consumed in conjunction with alcohol, it can cause adverse reactions due to the presence of coprine. Others, such as Coprinellus disseminatus, form large, fairy-tale-like colonies across mossy logs and stumps, yet do not deliquesce.

Though some ink caps are considered edible when young and properly identified, their ephemeral nature and potential for toxicity demand caution. For the mindful forager, however, they remain a fascinating subject of study—ephemeral, mysterious, and exquisitely transient.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Sunday Best

Mushroom in Lake Sanitarium Lake Mount Macedon for Sunday Best

 

A rather common species of woodland mushroom thrives amidst the shaded undergrowth of Lake Sanitarium, a locale long favoured by naturalists and artists alike. This secluded lake, steeped in quiet history, once served as a convalescent retreat in the early 20th century, earning its evocative name from the health-seekers who once found solace in its restorative air and waters. Today, it plays host to an altogether different form of contemplation: an annual photographic expedition undertaken by Joel and myself, dedicated to the fine art of macro imagery.

Armed with the Sony A7R V and the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro lens, we seek out the minute marvels of the forest floor—fungi, insects, textures—all rendered with a distinct tonal quality that has long distinguished the Sigma from its rivals. Although Sony is poised to release a new G Master macro lens, whose technical excellence is already anticipated by the photographic community, we are inclined to retain the Sigma. Its singular character in colour rendition—so vivid, yet subtle—offers a palette that cannot be so easily replicated, a lens not merely of function but of personality.

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Crepidotus, Panellus and Mycena epipterygia for Sunday Best

 

During a recent exploration, Joel and I encountered several intriguing fungi, which we subsequently identified with the aid of an AI tool. Among them were species from the genera Crepidotus, Panellus, and Mycena, specifically the elegant Mycena epipterygia. We were both deeply captivated by their delicate forms and the quiet grace with which they adorned their natural woodland habitat.

The genus Crepidotus is known for its fan-shaped fruiting bodies that typically grow on decaying wood. These saprophytic fungi contribute to the vital process of decomposition in forest ecosystems, breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. Their name, derived from the Greek krepis (sandal), refers to their characteristic shape.

Panellus, another genus observed, shares similar ecological roles. Often growing in overlapping clusters on wood, some species of Panellus display bioluminescence, a phenomenon that has long fascinated naturalists. These fungi, too, are saprotrophs, and their presence signals a healthy, functioning forest floor.

Finally, Mycena epipterygia, commonly known as the yellowleg bonnet, is a small but exquisite mushroom, notable for its translucent cap and slender, often yellowish stem. Belonging to a large genus renowned for its fragile beauty, Mycena species frequently inhabit mossy logs and damp leaf litter. Some possess faint luminescence, and many have played roles in studies of fungal chemistry and symbiosis.

Each of these fungi, though modest in size, stands as a testament to nature’s quiet complexity. Their ephemeral presence in the forest reminds us of the intricate interdependence that sustains woodland life and the elegance that resides in even the humblest forms.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8

Linking Sunday Best

I had been away for but a week, visiting Sydney. Upon my return, Joel insisted we stop for a drink at a Japanese bar in Richmond. He met me at the airport, evidently eager to unburden himself of the unpleasant affairs at his workplace. Though I scarcely caught the full tenor of his complaints, I found contentment in a bowl of piquant tofu soup and a glass of chilled namasake

More from Lake Sanitarium Mount Macedon for Sunday Best

 

That is another charming pixie parasol from the verdant forests of Mount Macedon, Victoria, near the historic Lake Sanatorium. The image was produced through focus stacking, combining fifty exposures to achieve remarkable clarity and depth. I previously attempted to stack one hundred exposures; however, the resulting image was of inferior quality compared to that obtained with fifty shots.

The panorama displayed here depicts Joel and myself engaged in foraging amidst the dense and ancient woodlands of Mount Macedon. These forests, renowned for their towering mountain ash and cool temperate flora, surround the serene Lake Sanatorium—a place rich in both natural beauty and historical significance.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Sunday Best

Pixie Parasol in Lake Sanitarium Mount Macedon for Treasure Tuesday

 

Around this season each year, we venture into the woodlands of Mount Macedon, near Lake Sanitarium, in pursuit of the delicate and elusive wild mushrooms that flourish briefly in the damp and shaded understory. This annual tradition of mushroom hunting is both a ritual and a delight, a quiet communion with the rhythms of the forest. Yet, this year, our efforts have thus far borne no fruit. Twice we have searched the familiar grounds, only to find the earth ungenerous. The unseasonably warm weather has likely discouraged the fungi from their usual emergence, for they thrive best in cooler, moisture-laden air.

Nevertheless, in the spirit of perseverance and appreciation for nature’s finer details, Joel and I turned our attention to the craft of focus stacking—an intricate photographic technique suited for capturing these minute woodland organisms in their full dimensional glory. Each specimen demands patience and precision: we take between twenty and fifty images of a single frame, adjusting focus ever so slightly with each exposure. These are captured wide open, at the lens’s brightest aperture, allowing for maximum light and subtle depth. The process, though meticulous, borders on artistry. Thankfully, modern tools like Adobe Photoshop now make the post-processing more accessible, layering these images into a singular, sharply focused result.

I am truly enamored with the outcome. The images reveal the mushrooms as they are—young, tender sprouts, barely rising from the mossy floor. Their forms are delicate, almost otherworldly in their fragility.

Joel, ever the skilled forager, has an uncanny ability to find the pixie parasol—Mycena interrupta—a rare and enchanting species distinguished by its luminous blue hue and ephemeral presence. His knowledge borders on the encyclopedic, and he often jests, with an arched brow and a knowing smile, “What would you do without me?” Indeed, his companionship and expertise are as indispensable as the forest itself in our shared pursuit of these botanical treasures.

In these quiet moments beneath the towering eucalyptus and mountain ash, surrounded by the ancient breath of the earth, one is reminded that even in scarcity, the forest offers gifts to those who look closely.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Mushroom in Mount Macedon for Treasure Tuesday

 

Most common ordinary fungi in woods

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Mount Macedon Fungi for Treasure Tuesday

 

A bit late to the mushroom hunt with Joel this year. Though we did not find parasol, these brown ones will do.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Mycelium season for Treasure Tuesday

 

Weather is changing. It is becoming cold in Melbourne.

These mushies are starting to come out.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Fungi clusters in Mount Macedon

 

Looks kind of juicy there. Cold chilly wind in Mount Macedon. Melbourne has been quite wet lately. 

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Randomosity

Parasol for Sunday Best

 

Jackpot getting a cluster of parasol fungi from the weekend before. 

Just came back home from a wedding reception. I suddenly realised I was older and lonely. Sigh... 

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Sunday Best

Mycelium Interruptus Macro

We hit out to Mount Macedon on the weekend. Mushroom hunting 3rd time this year. We noticed many mushrooms were destroyed by others after photographing them. 

The relentless foraging finally got to this one on a dead log so far away from the normal walking paths in Sanitarium Lake. We got the shot this year.

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Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro

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Cortinarius rotundisporus in Yarra Junction, Melbourne

 

It is very hard ignoring it when I see one. Love the petite look of it. 

Sony A7RIV

Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro

Mushroom

Fungi

Fungi on dead wood. The walk in Daylesford is kind of fun. Love the casual walk.