Its bark is worse than its bite

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita mushroom is endemic in N Ireland. Although classified as poisonous, reports of human deaths resulting from its ingestion are extremely rare. Indeed it is used as an intoxicant in some countries after a healthy stew is made of it!
So a small thing packs a punch.
But its reputation of being toxic is overstated. It is often considered as an interloper almost like a weed.
And yet that is to consider only one facet of its identity. It is ascetically pleasing as this blip I trust shows.
So we do well to recall we are all creatures for whom identity is multi faceted, plural and shifting. To be known and indeed stereotyped by one element of that complex amalgam does both us and others a dis-service.
So long live mushrooms I say - even if it is only for the photographers!