In the limelight
An iconic, fairy-tale fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria) stands proud in a damp autumn woodland in 2019 - the start of Dutch photographer Jan Vermeer's voyage into the mysterious world of fungi. He used a 40-year-old camera lens to create the 'bokeh', soft focus effect.
It's in the name
The shocking blood-red cap of the aptly named bloody brittlegill (Russula sanguinaria) can be seen in coniferous forests. The generic name of the mushroom, Russula, means red, and sanguinea is derived from the Latin sanguis, which means blood.
Microscopic world
"The blue dots are the slime mould Physarum album, which is closely related to mushrooms," says Jan. "They are tiny, maybe 5mm so you need a special 25mm lens to capture them - a normal macro lens isn't close enough." A larva belonging to the Isopod order can also be seen.
Roll up, roll up
You could be looking up at the roof of a circus tent but this is actually sunlight shining through the two-toned gills of Laccaria bicolor - with a small springtail tightrope walker near the centre. "Fungi are what I call 'nature monuments"," says Jan. "You have to approach them like a work of art."
Coastal blue
The astonishing turquoise colour of Stropharia aeruginosa, commonly known as verdigiris agaric, was on Jan's 'top 10' wish list to see, and social media proved helpful. After spotting an image of the mushroom on Facebook, Jan approached the photographer who kindly shared its location in a coastal pine plantation.
Tickled pink
This story is from the October 2022 edition of BBC Wildlife.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2022 edition of BBC Wildlife.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ALL YOU EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE Giant panda
Cuddly-looking with highly distinctive black-and-white fur and dark ‘spectacles’, the giant panda – often referred to simply as the panda – is an undeniably popular and much-loved bear, both the national animal of China and, of course, the iconic logo of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
CRUISE CONTROL
As more people are drawn to experience the frozen frontiers, can tourism to the seventh continent be a good thing for nature?
COWS COME HOME
Tauros are the closest thing to the extinct aurochs. And they are coming to the UK.
BIG LITTLE JOURNEYS
A closer look at the smallbut-mighty animals that must travel vast distances to survive
MOUNTAIN MISSION
Canada lynx and wolverines are secretive creatures, but dedicated scientists in Montana are tracking them to inform conservation
LET'S GET TOGETHER - ROOSTING PIED WAGTAILS
Remember to look up this Christmas to enjoy gangs of pied wags' gathered in the trees
FEMALE OF THE SPECIES - REINDEER
Lucy Cooke explains why the females of this Christmas icon have antlers too
Ancient woodland still at risk from HS2
Scrapping the northern phase has spared some sites, but woodlands and reserves remain under threat
Ocean superheroes
Release of 10.000 oysters in North East England promises to improve water quality and marine life
MEET THE VOLUNTEER - Keith Dobell
The retiree cares for a park, an old railway track and a wood in his home county of Northamptonshire