At this time of year in the mid-west, we begin seeing many examples of mushrooms, mold, and fungi of all sorts growing in many places. The dry lawn is not one of them. They are more obvious in the wooded area out back.
While digging around in the debris below the trees out back of the house, I spotted these ¼” tall fungi attached to a clump of matter. I have no idea how to ID fungi…no books or experience. It doesn’t really matter. I liked how they contrasted with the dark background.
I looked around more carefully and found two other examples of tiny fungi on some other debris. These were about 2″ tall. The pictures are overexposed and not quite focused on the fungi. It’s hard to work on your knees, in a dimly lit environment, and still get a good picture. Blogger and wildflower photographer Steven Schwartzman has a list of >30 things to say about getting the best shot. If you like flowers and want to see some examples, visit his beautiful blog. He says…
I’m reminded of the adage that the three most important things in real estate are location, location, location, except that I’ve modified that to position, position, position.
Here are a few more 2″ ones found in the same vicinity. Each year, in the same part of the yard, we get some large ones that look like these tiny fungi, but are 8″ tall. I will watch for them and try to get a picture.
These tiny organisms are not the smallest fungi in the world. They are only a part of the amazing diversity of life in the nooks and crannies everywhere. And, I do mean everywhere. Athlete’s Foot caused by tinea is an example, as is yeast. There are nearly 100,000 described species. Estimates go as high as 1.5 million different ones.
Fungi are also some of the largest of creatures. The Humongous Fungus in east central Oregon covers covers 2,385 acres. It is also believed to be the oldest living specimen at somewhere between 1,900 to 8,650 years.
For much, much more about fungi, visit the American Phytopathology Society.
How I See It 
Sometimes the most interesting photography isn’t due to skill or equipment (both of which I severely lack!) but instead from having the curiosity to go out in search of the subject. This said, you seemingly have the skill, the equipment, and the curiosity. These are completely interesting, as is the entire post. Now, I want to go out and see what I can find hidden under other things!
(Oh, and I like your new header, too!)
Check for ticks and bugs if you are down in the low places.
I ate my header after I got the picture. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
This is fascinating in its detail. Love your write-up with it.
There is world upon world upon world on this earth. I love photographers, what they capture.
Thank you. Sometimes one stumbles upon special things. We need to keep our eyes open and ready to see them.
I’m glad you stopped by and had something to say.
They are fascinating little creatures. I wrote about them too in July (http://anarette.com/2013/07/31/julys-rain/) and am still finding interesting ones in my backyard.
I took a look and left a comment. Thanks for your visit. Feel free to return any time.
Have an interesting day.
I thought those were cookies! Ah – the cookie JAR!
Every time I come across a post about fungus, my first thought is of Seinfeld and “the fungus among us”. Then, I think about morels, and have a brief inclination to move back to a place where they can be found, dredged in flour, sauteed in butter and eaten.
What always surprises me about these organisms is their variety. I’ve never seen anything that looks like your first photo. The white ones seem more familiar. I think it’s in the autumn that we’ll often get the larger ones that can open to be 8″ or more in diameter. I suppose it’s the combination of cool and damp that brings them out. As you noted, a dry lawn isn’t the best environment for them.
I’m impressed with a physicist venturing into the biological world. 😉 First pic is my favorite.
LOL…I know some biology teachers who have helped me venture forth. It is a fascinating world.
There will be a followup post today about BIG fungi we found. See you later, I hope.
[…] few days ago, I posted here a story about Tiny Fungi. It was about some very small fungi I found in the wooded area behind our house. Today, I want to […]