Red gnome Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Mushrooms are one of the symbols of autumn and some of them are one of the treats which autumn is able to offer ...
The here shown mushroom however isn't suitable for a meal at all, but it's one of the most colourful ones, the "Fly agaric" (in German: Fliegenpilz) or in latin "Amanita muscaria". Here in Central Europe it mostly grows in deciduous forests where sunlight is able to reach the ground.

The white "flakes" at it's hat are rests of the velum by which it still was enveloped about two days before - still in the forest soil. One day later it will spread its hat. Please see HERE.
The poison of the Fly agaric is able to cause severe symptoms of poisoning, such as nausea, drowsiness, delirium, agitation, confusion, hallucinations and others. The effect is highly variable between different persons. Similar doses potentially cause quite different reactions.
In some civilisations, such as in Siberia, it was used as an intoxicant and it often was considered a holy plant. Still today, the Fly agaric is considered a symbol of good luck.

In former times it also was used as a flycatcher. The mushroom was cut into small pieces and mixed with sugared milk. This mixture was an excellent attractant for flies which drink it and died - without any secondary effect to environment.

hrschwartz, leo61, chinchini has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jasmis (51257) 2009-10-04 23:06

Something tasty today, lol, lol. You didn't try it I presume...
This is claimed the strongest poison in nature...

Regards my dear friend.

polpo56 (8158) 2009-10-04 23:58

Ciao Frank,
are you sure that this fungus is an "amanita muscaria"?
The color and shape could also be an Amanita Caesarea, excellent edible mushroom.
in any case pay attention...-:)

Nice autumnal shot.

Greetings from a sunny Rome.

Ludo

emka (22701) 2009-10-05 1:55

Hi Frank, I am a mycologue-amateur, I used to read a lot about muchrooms (I have 6 volums of Handbuch fuer Pilzfreunde!), so it is a great jpy for me to see such a beauty. Amazing sharpness and beautiful natural colours. It is OK that they are not edible because they are not collected. Thanks for reminding me that mushrooms should be looked at forest and not a market.

Regards

Malgorzata

PixelTerror (87137) 2009-10-05 4:18

Hallo Frank
Nice mushroom close up, focus is spot on and the warm cone stands out very well fronm the greenies around
have a nice day JY

hrschwartz (698) 2009-10-05 7:59

Hi Frank,

I've just returned from the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and it's nice to see this little gnome awaiting me. I've taken plenty of photos recently (not even including the ones in Europe) and need to get organized to start posting them. :-(

Anyway, this little mushroom is nicely photographed (although removal of the distracting, out-of-focus twig in the foreground would have helped) and your note is very informative- as usual.

Regards from wet Raleigh,
Randy

saxo042 (16522) 2009-10-05 11:06

Hi Frank,
This is a very eye-catching mushroom! I am an expert in finding them, but as a fact I am always looking for Pfifferling. I am obviously not the same expert with those... It is really a pity that you can´t eat these! But at least we can enjoy your colourful photo!
Kind regards
Gunnar

claudeD (11540) 2009-10-05 11:21

Hallo franck,

wie es scheint hast du dich an hochgefährliche Foto-Objekte herangetraut.Sehr gute Makro-Aufnahme dieses Pilzes mit beispielhafter Schärfe.Die nächsten Tage werde ich auch eine Pilzaufnahme präsentieren.

Mit den besten Grüssen aus dem verregneten Luxemburg

Jean-Claude

leo61 (44080) 2009-10-05 11:30

Hallo Frank!
Ein Toller Macro shot dieses Gnoms.
Bitte nicht trocknen,rauchen oder kochen oder inhalieren.... TE braucht Dich!!!!!
Ein wirklich tolles Foto aus dem Wald mitsehr guter Qualität!!!!!
Gruß,Leo
Danke für die Mail,ich freuem mich auf den 1. 11.,
bin echt gespannt.

chinchini (27913) 2009-10-06 1:16

Hello Frank,
Je vois que toi aussi tu es alléte promener dans les bois o)
Superbe ton amanite tue-mouche, mais ne m'invite pas à ta table ;o))
Ta macro est réussie, le champignon présente des couleurs exquises.
Ciao mon Ami
Pierre

PS : Tu n'auras pas reconnu la promeneuse dans "mon boisé" car tu ne connais pas Marlyse ;o)

mvdisco (11707) 2009-10-06 18:17

Bonjour Frank,
Belle photo macro de ce champignon,
jolies couleurs et détails,
Belle netteté et présentation,
Ne pas manger si on ne connait pas ..
excellent cliché et mes salutations..
Michel ..sous un ciel nuageux et pluie..et froid..+8 celcius...brr..

vinicio (22488) 2009-10-07 8:05

It's finally arrived their time... I'm happy for that. This is one of my preferred, not in order to eat it, of course ;)
A well done and beautiful image Frank, compliments.
Ciao
Vinicio

PainDivine69 (145) 2009-10-08 8:40

Hi Frank,
War da jemand Pilze sammeln? Guter Einstand für einen träge beginnenden Herbst.

Gruß, Björn

jackart (5618) 2009-10-19 9:51

Hello Frank!

I very like shots like this minimal composition with great contrast and magnificent impression made this capture very attracive. Pleasure to look at!

Well done!

Regards
Jacek