Blue-sky experience

 At this time of year there is very little invertebrate activity to be found on our daily walks.  Even flies are becoming uncommon, although, the slighest warmth brings our midges to dance in the sun.

I can't stop looking for anything in the hedgerows.  So, yesterday we kept catching sight of the occassional troop of Common Funnel Mushrooms deep in the hedgerow leaf litter.   There were even a few examples of the encrutsing Stereum species wrapped around small twigs.

As it was a Sunday, and lockdown, we took advantage of the almost zero traffic and dallied on blind corners that we would usually pass swiftly, and safely, by.

On the dying branch of a small Ash tree in the hedgerow there was a hollow rotted out in which could be seen the unmistakeable stipes of Candle-snuff fungus.  A further rotting piece of the branch caught my eye with what looked like a dark bird dropping probably from eating blackberries.  The branch broke off when touched so I examined it further.  Turning it over I was delighted to see that it wasn't an exreted blackberry, but part of a dark blue Cobalt Crust (Terana caeruleum).   

Cobalt Crust - Terana caeruleum

This is an unusual fungi in North Cornwall and only the second example I have found.  Its colour is magnificent ranging from a deep cobalt blue shading into a sky-blue with an almost white edge.

A closer view

A fantastic find.

Blogs I follow

https://downgatebatman.blogspot.com/

https://maryatkinsonwildonline.blogspot.com/