I remember the first time I found Bird’s Nest Fungus. I was on a guide-led mushroom hike in the Oakland Hills on a rainy morning in winter. I had pulled over to adjust my rain poncho when I looked to the ground and spotted a handful of tiny bird’s nests (aptly named) attached to a stick on the ground. As I dropped to my knees and investigated further, I spotted dozes more, and – oh my goodness – they were everywhere!
What was shocking to me was how small they really were. Each “nest” was around a 5-7mm in diameter. Based on what I’d seen in photos, I would have guessed they were much larger!
When photography is involved, it’s often easy for viewers to misinterpret the actual sizes of the subject in question. When looking at a photo, one good way to decipher how large a mushroom actually is to analyze its surroundings. Compare with what you see based on prior knowledge. From trees, to leaves, to tendrils of moss – we can all create a foundation for measuring size using common natural elements.
"Jellied Bird's Nest Fungus"
(Nidula candida)
Comments