In recent days the abundance of fungi near Sydney has been amazing. I’m not sure whether it is due to suitable weather for fungi fruiting (cool and wet) or due to better observing and increased knowledge of what and where to look for on my part. Probably a combination of both.
In particular, it now the best time to see waxcaps – members of the family Hygrophoracae. On these trips I was very fortunate to observe not only some very beautiful fungi but also some species that are very rare and are critically endangered.
Anyway here is a summary of some recent trips –
Magdala Creek – Springwood – 19 June
Just after rain – so the creek was high. Lots of orchids and a fair amount of fungi. I am starting to learn the best places in the upper part of this creek to find fungi.
More photos are online together with identifications on my website here
Lane Cove National Park – 20 June
It did a walk from Epping to Macquarie Park via Devlins Creek and the The Great North Walk down the Lane Cove River. A fair bit of fungi was out in certain spots along the way.
More photos are online together with identifications on my website here
Sassafras Gully at Springwood – 21 June
I did a walk with Wendy from Faulconbridge, down the Victory Track to Sassafras Gully to as far as Glenbrook Creek, with a side trip to Numantia Falls. We returned via the Victory Track to Faulconbridge.
On this trip we saw a lot of orchids, ferns and fungi. A great day out.
More photos are online together with identifications on my website here
Lane Cove Area – 22 June
More nice hygrocybes were out. I was lucky to be shown these by Ray and Elma Kearney.
More photos are online together with identifications on my website here
Wolli Creek – 23 June
This is my local area. I caught the train to Bexley North, and walked down via the Two Valleys Track to Tempe Station. The first section was a bit sparse for fungi – but I did see a lot of orchids and a nice and lively red-belly black snake.
After Bardwell Park – things improved a lot and was surprised to see a lot of hygrocybes out.
More photos are online together with identifications on my website here
Bola Creek in Royal National Park – 24 June
An amazing display of colourful fungi –
More photos are online together with identifications on my website here
Wolli Creek – 25 June
After the trip two days before I was keen to go back and see how the fungi was developing. This visit was only to the section of the creek between Bardwell Park and Turrela
More photos are online together with identifications on my website here
Bola Creek in Royal National Park – 27 June
This was a field activity organised by the Sydney Fungal Studies Group Inc. We had a very good day and found 19 species of hygrocybes.
More photos are online together with identifications on my website here
Sassafras Gully at Springwood – 28 June
Another of my regular trips. This time I went via Magdala Creek and walked down to Glenbrook Creek, then upstream to Sassafras Gully and out via the track to Sassafras Gully Rd. The quantity of fungi seemed to be dropping a bit, but what was out was very interesting.
More photos are online together with identifications on my website here.
Hi Dave, just want to let you know that I recently developed an artistic eye for all things moss, lichen and fungi. That said, I was in awe and mesmerised by your photo collection of fungi and lichen. Absolutely stunning and very addictive to look at. Thank you for sharing these treasures from your bush walking adventures 🙂