Wednesday 5 January 2011

Fungi - crawling out from the primaeval ooze


From a simple post about fungi - you know, those mushroomy looking things - this post grew like topsy! I realised how much I did not know. Like nearly everything.


Did you now that fungi are more related to animals than to plants? Did you know that the living world was divisible into Plants, Animals, Bacteria AND Fungi? Did you know that Lichen is a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae? And, then again, that moss and mould are different from all the above.


Lamington National Park, in the MacPherson Ranges of SE Queensland has a massive variety of fungi, eg Coral, Rainbow, Bracket, Cup, Jelly, and probably more. Within each category there are specific names, like 'Dead Men's Fingers'. But I don't know many of them at all, at all.


In total, over the 8 days, I photographed 21 different types of fungi. The most were to be found along the Wishing Tree Track and the Python Rock Track. This post shows you a few of them. If you know either a botanic or a common name, I would love to hear from you.

Pst ... 'Dead Men's Fingers' is photograph 4.

21 comments:

brattcat said...

brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!!!

Luis Gomez said...

Julie, I just love looking at all these. They are so beautiful. Textures, colors fantastic!
Yes, DE stands for Delaware.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

These photos are exquisite... texture, color, detail, and the facts about all! Great post, Julie!

LĂșcia said...

Very interesting, the first shot is great!

Mark said...

These pictures really capture a powerful/colourful force in the rain forest. Geat pics Jule

RedPat said...

Your shots are wonderful - so much colour and texture!

Unknown said...

Now here is another subject that really fascinates me too. Fantastic variety and shots, Julie!

Amanda said...

Fascinatitng photos!

Jim said...

The fungi look awesome.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Joan Elizabeth said...

Beautiful shots. I think fungi are like jewels in the rainforest. I especially like the first one.

Rinkly Rimes said...

Fascinating! Both the photographs and the information!

James said...

Hi Julie.
I never really had an interest in fungus until now. These are really nic shots. I also enjoyed seeing your other recent photos. The rain forest is amazing.

Happy New Year!

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Thanks for the education. Happy New Year.

Vicki said...

As brattcat said, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! The colours are especially stunning.

Peter said...

looks so ancient, jurassic park!

diane b said...

I bet there is plenty around with all this rain. Great shots, I love the light and colours.

Baino said...

Ahh so that's where you disappeared to. The colours are amazing. I love Lamington but it's been too long since I've been there.

Francisca said...

Fantastic! I really like fungi and your shots are gorgeous.

Julie said...

Thank you both, Baino and Francisca.

Around Alice with Mike said...

I love the one that looks like a nose. Chaotic growth of fungi can make some wonderful pictures.

Julie said...

The second last one! Quite a hoot really ... sorry.