Tree Stump Fungus

castleberry (55)in #photography • 9 years ago (edited)

~ Mushrooms On a Stump ~

I took a couple of shots of some Mushrooms I found growing on stumps! I always think it's cool to see a single solitary Mushroom growing out of a stump. The few and rare occasions in my life I have been fortunate enough to capture these moments... I have never had my camera with me. Apparently, this is not all that rare of an occurrence in the forests here in Sweden and Now I carry my camera with me almost everywhere!

I am often reminded of a Turtle's Shell by the shape of many Mushroom Caps. The Mushrooms or Fungi that I have seen on stumps and trees are usually of the Bracket or Polypore varieties. So these were some pleasant sights to see since most of the Bracket Fungi I have seen don't generally have the traditionally recognized Mushroom Cap shape.

I really like this Mushroom! It looks like sandy Beach Shell meets Turtle Shell in the form of a shroom. There is so much of the green moss that you can't even see the tree stump. As I was walking by the contrast in color really made the mushroom stand out and catch my eye. So I got a closer look to get the shot and I realized something. I realized my favorite part of this mushroom was the leaf stuck on/in the cap. I think it's been there for a minute! Considering how short of a lifespan that Mushrooms have... catching that leaf on the cap seemed especially cool! It appears to my eyes as if the leaf fell and landed on the sticky cap as it developed. Sections of the leaf look pasted on as if the two have become one!

This whole scene makes me think of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The stump, which is dead or dying, brings life for the fungi as well as the moss. The dead leaf, stuck in the growing cap of the mushroom as it flourishes atop a decaying stump, is gloriously ironic! Thank you for spending a little time with me! I value your time and appreciation!