The Fly Agaric mushroom - latin name Amanita Muscaria - is toxic, but is also known for it's hallucogenic properties. Certain commentators assert that the consumption of this mushroom is responsible for the legends of Father Christmas, 'little people' generally and almost every religion known to man. It is known as an entheogen, which means 'creating the divine within'. It is eaten in certain eastern european countries after parboiling to remove the psychoactive components, the chief of which is muscimol.
I'm content to just photograph them, not least because it is very easy to confuse them with other members of the Amanita genus which will cause rapid death if eaten. By the way, the common name Fly Agaric is believed to derive from the practice of drying the mushroom to a powder which, mixed with milk, can be used as an insecticide.
Stunning shot. So poisonous and so lovely. I really like the softness framing the mushroom. It makes the picture have an emotional impact for me when I look at it. And stunning too on black. Fav
you uh just photograpped it though right?