Fly Agaric

Went for a walk on Cannock Chase this afternoon, hoping to see deer, and Fly Agaric toadstools. Saw no deer, just one squirrel, and this solo Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) that was growing, predictably, beneath some silver birches. These are my favourite toadstools - straight out of a children's picture book. And I only needed one for my blip, so here it is!

'Fly Agaric': a toadstool. Just look,
Don't touch it! - it's not one to cook.
You'll spot more if you search
Near each tall silver birch:
Red and white, from a child's picture book!

poem © Celia Warren