A new blog link - Gaye in the Hunter Valley

In the last few days, I have stumbled across the blog of a kindred naturalist, armed with a camera.
Birds Nest Fungi
on the forest floor
Gaye, from the Hunter Valley, has been blogging for a little while now, and she has some excellent photos of fungi, and plants and lizards, and insects, and, and, and.

I have posted a permanent link to her blog in the side bar, under my "My Favourite Sites", and also another link to her Hunter Valley Fungi Blog - under the heading of Fungi Reference Sites. Both sites are well worth a look,
and keep them bookmarked for future reference (or save as "favourites").
Close up of the "eggs"
(peridioles) in the "nest"
I came across her Blog while searching for other photos of the Bird's Nest Fungus. I went back with David today to see if we could trigger the tiny little "eggs" (peridioles) to get splashed out of their nests (the way the books say they spread their spores about). However, we could not trigger them.




These particular fungi were fairly old, judging by the fact that nearly all the "nests" were empty. If I find another group of these fungi, I shall have another "go". My friends, Roy and Joan actually have had these fungi come up in pot plants on their back verandah. Easier to experiment with those, (if they come up again this year) than doing what I did today, searching for some time to "re-find" these few Birds Nest Fungi in the bush.
Those tiny fungi (above) are smaller than a thimble to fit my littlest finger.
Doodia species ???
They were growing amongst a large area of Fishbone Ferns (possibly Doodia sp) in a section of forest which was "burnt off" last year. Hard to find, even when you know they are there somewhere. Talk about looking for a "needle in a haystack". It makes me wonder how I found them in the first place.



Tips of the frond and
distinctive spore pattern
underneath the fronds
I am not experienced in identifying ferns, but from a quick check of some reference books, these ferns are possibly a Doodia species. Forgive me if I refer to them as "Fishbone Ferns" (an imprecise layman's name), but from the shape of the fronds you can see why I use that name.
Any hints from visitors to the site would be appreciated, as I am always keen to learn.

This patch of ferns is growing strongly in an area which was burnt off last year. They are regrowth from old woody rhizomes which lie flat on the ground.