Tree Fungus

Tree Fungus
16 September 2014 -- 259/365
Lincoln, Rhode Island

While wandering around at Lincoln Woods today during lunch, I spotted this small birch tree sporting a very handsome ear-shaped fungal accessory. They're all the rage, judging by the other nearby trees also wearing the same style mushroom. Now, I did try to identify the type of mushroom on the tree, however my inability to do so gives you a pretty good idea as to why I don't pick wild mushrooms. That, of course, does beg the question as to how the edible and non-edible versions were identified in the first place. I mean, after the first couple of villages were wiped out from eating the poisonous variety, you'd think the entire concept of eating fungi would have been abandoned. I know I'd have passed on it!

Post processing started with a neutral filter in Topaz B&W FX. I adjusted color sensitivity sliders, adaptive exposure, regions, contrast, boost black, and boost white. A levels adjustment was added in PSE.

Here's the high res version in Smugmug: http://kannafoot.smugmug.com/Photo-Challenges/PAD2014/i-xGg7J3D/0/XL/2014%2009%2016_0005%20copy-XL.jpg

[Brianna]

I think I'll pass the taste test Ron! Aha, what a lovely find and you seem like you have the most loveliest woods near you!

[Jule ♥]

Terrifying macro! I am a very very bad Biology student (or at least in environmental topics) so I have no idea about mushrooms :D But a great picture :D