This is a glimpse into the microcosmic world of lichen, moss and fungi. There is an old willow on the bank of my local river, with large boughs covered in a thick coat of this twisting moss called Cypress-leaved Plait-moss (Hypnum cupressiforme). From across a field you can see the moss clinging to the fissured bark of the old willow, but it is not until you get closer, right up close and personal that you see there is more there than meets the eye.
The delightfully named Trumpet Lichen (Cladonia fimbriata) is just poking through the twisting blanket of moss, and standing proudly above the moss and the lichen is a tiny, delicate and rather beautiful mushroom I believe is called the Iodine Bonnet (Mycena filopes), which is just opening up to the dappled light of the world.
Photograph taken November 2011, by local river, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2011. Camera used Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38.
Nature Journeys 
Wonderful!
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Thank you 🙂
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I love this view into a magical world. The trumpet lichen is spectacular and the pale translucence of the mushroom really makes it stand out. Wow!
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Thank you very much, Mike 🙂 I enjoy photographing fungi, lichen or moss, and this was one of those moments I just could not resist capturing.
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Nice capture! I really like the lighting and composition.
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Thank you David 🙂
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magnificent.
the fungus looks like some street lamp and the trumpet like thing at the bottom creates the scene of some magical world. the lighting on the subject is nicely utilised.
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Thank you Vikas. I appreciate your comment.
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Magical.
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Thank you 🙂
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A beautiful capture here, of two of my favourites things: mushrooms and moss! (And thank you for liking my moss haiku.) Your philosophy regarding the natural world seems very similar to mine, and I look forward to seeing more of your work.
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Thank you very much, I appreciate your lovely comment. I look forward to seeing more of your work also 🙂
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I just looked at your lichen category Pete, they’re quite fascinating. This one stood out because of the mushroom, but also it’s living with the trumpet lichen which I love. We have a stone that they grow on down the drive and I always stop and look at them.
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I have a special fondness for lichen, moss and fungi, which I had not really looked at until some years ago, and realised how many beautiful forms and colours there are around us for us to enjoy. Trumpet lichen is one of my favourite lichens 🙂
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I think it’s not until you look through a macro lens that you discover the miniature world! 🙃
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