one-eyed Elder

Some of the old elder trees at the top of our track are on their last legs but are making good homes for goodness-knows-what beasties.

The fungus is a Basidiomycete, which I admit I had to look up, but the name rings a bell from my botany days (they were good ones!). This one is known as the Jew's Ear, which sounds a little revolting. It is gelatinous, likes to grow on elder, and has found a strong niche on our track. Some related species are used in cooking - don't fancy it myself.