Orange Bonnet and Snowy Waxcaps

Under a damp log, in the dark, dark wood, I found two tiny Orange Bonnets, the tallest scarcely a centimetre in height. An afternoon Teams meeting meant that I didn't get out till just before sunset, and although many of the leaves have now fallen, it was very gloomy in Thorpe Wood. Nearly all the fungi I found were very small, and by the time I left I could scarcely spot any at all...

Earlier in the day I'd been in the garden gathering grass and dendelions for CJ's Guinea Pigs, when I spotted a small group of Snowy Waxcaps (see extra) in the lawn. This is one of the commonest waxcaps locally, but is usuallly found in fairly diverse grassland on nutrient-poor soils. Perhaps, after many years of removing the cuttings from our lawn, it's going to develop a richer fungal flora.

Other parts of the day were spent in exhibition preparations. More printing and mounting of photographs, preparation of a risk assessment for the event and baking gingerbread as part of the refreshments we're providing. It's not something I make often, but the cake batter tasted good and it smelt wonderful when it came out of the oven. It's all wrapped up now so that it doesn't mysteriously disappear!