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.

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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.

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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.

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Mushroom in Mount Macedon for Treasure Tuesday

 

Most common ordinary fungi in woods

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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.

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Mycelium season for Treasure Tuesday

 

Weather is changing. It is becoming cold in Melbourne.

These mushies are starting to come out.

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Fungi clusters in Mount Macedon

 

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

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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... 

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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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Cortinarius rotundisporus in Yarra Junction, Melbourne

 

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

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Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro

Mushroom

Fungi

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