Mushroom foraging

Big bastard. Sadly someone ran it over with their car a few hours later.

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King Alfred's Cakes in Epping today

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You name ork looking funghi after royals? Nice.

Well, after his cakes to be exact.

King Alfred lived in the 9th century when parts of Britain had been overrun by Vikings. Trying to escape them, he took refuge in the home of a peasant woman who asked him to watch over her cakes, baking by the fire. He let them burn and was scolded by the woman for his negligence. It is said that embarrassed and ashamed, he scattered the cakes to get rid of the evidence. As the fungus looks like small, burnt cakes, especially as they get older, the name King Alfred’s cakes went into common use.

Old ones

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Our pre-Norman Invasion, (1066), monarchy tend to get a poor press.
This podcast will fill in the details:
https://shows.acast.com/the-rest-is-history-podcast/episodes/251-alfred-the-great-return-of-the-king

This is great knowledge, I really like the historical reference in this. Thanks @KatBalou'sPhone and @mespilus.

Anyone stumbled upon any liberty caps yet this year? Definitely asking for a friend. Just drop me a pm

Found these in the city centre today, at the base of the same tree.

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Found this today. 1x and 10x zoom pics

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Blue Oak courtesy of chlorociboria aeruginescens:
(found on a volunteer coppicing day in Park Wood,
part of Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve).
Wiki claims 'fruiting bodies are seldom seen'.

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^amazing what's to be found once you start noticing

More from yesterday
(including more Parasols)

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^amazing what's to be found once you start noticing

I agree totally. This thread, the insect thread and the weekly photo competition thread have really changed the way I see (certain) things when out and about.

This fine looking fellow stood out on yesterday’s walk

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insect thread

Wut? How have I missed this gem <facepalm

Also BTOB

Another parasol haul for dinner tonight.

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And a helvella crispa

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helvella_crispa

https://youtu.be/WskpWUntWd4

https://twitter.com/CountBinface/status/1611306139483873282

Brilliant!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64251382

Pretty sure these are oysters.

Gonna munch em (after checking a couple books).

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Checked books, happy with the ID.
Conferred with pals, also happy.

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Defo oysters, but are those actually purple IRL?

Slate grey I’d say, probably just the white balance going a bit weird in the LED light.

Also, I haven’t died or vommed yet. Seems like a win.