Spike Jones #3 (Cyptotrama aspratum - Gold Tuft)
THE SUBJECT:
A very small developing fruiting body of the Cyptotrama aspratum (Gold Tuft) fungus found on a rotting dead branch and caught in the gorgeous natural light of a slightly overcast autumn afternoon sky.
About 1.5cm high.
THE LOCATION:
Along a track in the Kattang Nature Reserve, Dunbogan, NSW, Australia.
THE MAKING of ‘Spike Jones #3 (Cryptotrama asprata)’:
Out on a fungi hunt with a Port Macquarie Panthers Camera Club mate, we were only 150 metres from the car park when we saw the beautiful glow of this fungus poking up from the leaf litter.
While most of the fungi we found were the blues we found three of these at different stages of development.
This photograph is brought to you after much pain and discomfort as I was bitten by a bull ant, my mate was bitten by a leech and we were both bitten by mosquitoes. The things we do…..!
Fuji S9600: RAW, Super macro, Manual settings of f/4.5 @ 1/10sec, Manual focus, ISO80, Tripod, Timer.
Lightroom 1.1 & Photoshop CS3.
Visit the Fungi & Lichen collection in my BubbleSite Gallery for more fabulous fungi and likeable lichen.
NOTE:
I lightened the image slightly and gave the saturation a little tweak for printing on Ilford Galerie Smooth Gloss Media and it did a marvellous job on the oranges/yellows.
UPDATE: 19-05-09
Little Spike has been featured in the Amateur Art Photography Group.
UPDATE: 20-6-09
My glowing golden Fungus was placed 2nd in challenge and has been Featured in the Fungilicious Group.
UPDATE: 25-8-09
This li’l golden Fungus was awarded 5th Place in the Shapes & Patterns Group’s Patterns on Fungi & Mushrooms Challenge.
UPDATE: 21-10-09
My tiny spikey fungus made it into the TOP TEN of the Fungilicious Group’s Cream de la Cream Fungi Challenge.
Enjoy!
FUNGI: KATTANG
(Click the links!)
Cyptotrama aspratum – Spike Jones #3
Omphalotus nidiformis (Ghost Fungus)
Omphalotus nidiformis & Sciarid sp
Entoloma hochstetteri – The Blues Brothers #1
Spike Jones #3 (Cyptotrama aspratum - Gold Tuft) belongs to the following groups:
All That is Nature (Photography Only), Former DPF Members, Fungilicious, New South Wales Photography and Point and Shooters Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Rosalie Dale IPA
Just wow!!
Dennis Gay replied
Cheers Rosalie!
Brave girl for putting up with all the forest nasties to get a peek at this little gem.
Your “just wow!!” wrap for my fungal photography is most welcome and very encouraging.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Thanks heeps for adding this li’l beauty to your favourites.
GB
D!
Hannah Fenton-...
Nice shot!
Dennis Gay replied
Hiya Hannah!
A good spray of Aerogard and off into the bush you go to hunt for fungi. Glad you found this one.
Many thanks indeed for your appreciative and encouraging “Nice shot!” comment on Spike Jones Jnr.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Happy to see you have added my portfolio to your watchlist. I hope it lives up to your expectations.
GB
D!
Nigel Donald
Nice work ennis
Dennis Gay replied
Yeehaa Nigel!
Glad you could make it into the bush regardless of the aggressive natives and that you have spotted this tiny fungus.
Thank you so much for your encouraging “Nice work…” wrap for my down-to-earth photographic effort.
GB
Dennis
Carla Jandelle...
absolutely love these fellows…have just been introduced this week to them and now another! my sympathies to the other nature u had to traverse for these images! eek
Dennis Gay replied
Bon Soir Carla!
Happy to have you with us deep in the bush fungi hunting and that you have espied this glowing li’l button.
Merci beaucoup for your most interesting and supportive ”...love these…” comment for my get-down-low-and-shoot photography.
Thank you too for your sympathy to my suffering. 8-)
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Another thanks for the honour of adding this fungus to your favourites.
GB
D!
kalaryder
So very pretty – well spotted
Dennis Gay replied
Happy Days Mik!
It’s a pleasure to see you head-down-backside-up scrambling through the undergrowth tracking down the elusive fungi and that you have come upon this spikey little species.
Your ”...well spotted” wrap for this close-up-close-to-the-ground photograph is most welcome and encouraging.
GB
Dennis
Anaa
Wow ! Very pretty …so well spotted !! :)
Dennis Gay replied
Hey there Anaa!
Fungi hunting is probably something very different to what you usually do so it’s good to see you join us.
Thank you heaps for your enthusiastic “Wow !...” comment. It is all very encouraging.
GB
Dennis
lozzar
I love the character of it. Pretty unusual. Great pic!
Dennis Gay replied
Dagin Lorraine!
Great to know you are interested in mycology and that you have spotted this tiny specimen in the bush.
Many thanks indeed for the support and encouragement of your ”...Great pic!” wrap for my on-hands-’n’-knees effort.
GB
Dennis
GailD
I’m with Rosalie. What else can one say but ‘wow’.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Gail!
Hope you brought your insect repellant for the fungi hunt.
Thank you kindly for your most supportive and exiciting ”...’wow’...” for this bright beauty.
Have you checked out the blues?
GB
Dennis
debsphotos
You sure know how to find them Dennis!!!! Its gorgeous!!! *-)
Dennis Gay replied
Well Hellooooo Deb!
Great to have yet another Bubbler on the fungi hunt.
Muchos gracias for your cheery and most encouraging ”...gorgeous…” comment for this forest floor fungus.
It’s not just a matter of looking, it’s a matter of seeing. 8-)
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
G’day TonyVC …. wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it.
GB
Dennis
LindaE
Wonderful photo Dennis! The focus is spot on, great DOF and the color really pops! Very nice!
Dennis Gay replied
Hiya Linda!
Lovely to see you join the gang on our fungi hunt and that you have found this li’l beauty.
Merci beaucoup for your very encouraging and enthusiastic “Wonderful photo…” comment on this fabulous fungus.
GB
Dennis
ratscat
beautiful shot
Dennis Gay replied
Wotcha RatsCat!
Wonderful to have an Elginian with us scrambling around in the leaf litter and that you have espied this tiny fungal beauty.
Thanks heaps for your encouraging “beautiful…” wrap for this up-close-’n’-personal fungi shot.
GB
Dennis
Edwin Catania
Wow Dennis
——all the flags for this, i.e colour; mood; ambience, composition, striking foregound vs background, clarity—-—you name it it’s got it ! THANKS FOR SHARING THIS OUTSANDING PHOTOGRAPHYDennis Gay replied
Ciao Edwin!
Happy to have you join us on our knees in the leaf litter on our fungi adventure at Kattang and that you have seen the golden glow of this tiny beauty.
Your enthusiastic “Wow…” and CAPITAL comment for this work is greatly appreciated.
GB
Dennis
Joanna Kowalczyk
Great find Dennis. I love the subject matter you have chosen – Cryptotrama asprata fungus! The whole colloection is captivating… You are obviously passionate about it because it shows in the delicate & intricate way you capture every little feature in your wonderful subject.
Dennis Gay replied
Hellooooo Joanna!
The more the merrier on this Kattang fungi hunt! Good to see you spotted Spike.
Thank you heaps for your uplifting, generous and most encouraging “Great find…” wrap for my mycological photograph and my ever growing fungi collection.
Thanks too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites and my portfolio to your watchlist. I hope it lives up to your expectations.
GB
Dennis
Brandie1
Lovely capture Dennis.
Dennis Gay replied
Yowza Brandie!
Your interest in mycolgy, your visit to Kattang and your most encouraging “Lovely…” comment for this golden fungus is greatly appreciated.
GB
Dennis
Jens Helmstedt
Wonderful lighting and composition. Great capture Dennis!
Dennis Gay replied
Howdy Jens!
Watch out for the bull ants as you scramble around searching for fungi.
Many thanks indeed for your most encouraging and supportive “Wonderful…” wrap for this tiny fungal jewel.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Thank you too for the honour of adding this golden beauty to your favourites.
GB
D!
Dennis Gay
G’day redqueenself .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it.
GB
Dennis
Laura S
I love fungi shots Dennis and yours are always my favorite! All of your fungi shots are extra good. :)
Dennis Gay replied
Gamardjobat Laura!
Good to see your eagle eye spotted this tiny beauty in the leaf litter.
Mahd-lob for your very generous, flattering and encouraging comment on my fungi photography.
So glad you are enjoying the experience.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this one to your favourites.
GB
Dennis
Alana Ranney
Love this one!
Dennis Gay replied
Choum reap suor look srey Alana!
Ar kun for your interest in mycology, for joining the RB team on the fungi hunt and for your generous and supportive “Love this…” wrap all the way from the USA.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 19-05-09
Little Spike has been featured in the Amateur Art Photography Group.
Many thanks to the Hosts and to all who have supported this li’l fungus.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
G’day Normf .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it.
GB
Dennis
Esther van de ...
Dennis Gay replied
Thanks heaps for being the bearer of such great news ESTHER!
I am honoured.
GB
D!
Silvia Solberg
This is so cool! Such a special fungus! Great shot! Love it!
Dennis Gay replied
Shazam SILVIA!
Next time you come on one of my Fungi safaris, bring a groundsheet so your knees don’t get dirty. 8-)
Many thanks indeedy for your interest in my fungal photography and for leaving such a great enthusiastic ”...so cool…” wrap.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Thank also for the honour of adding this spikey fungus to your favourites collection.
GB
D!
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 20-6-09
My glowing golden Fungus was placed 2nd in challenge and has been Featured in the Fungilicious Group.
My warmest thanks to the Hosts and to all who have supported li’l Spike.
GB
Dennis
Esther van de ...
It’s a stunner, Dennis. Cheers Esther
Bunny Clarke
What an amazing capture. I love all the little frills on this little guy. Excellent work. Congratulations on your win and features.
Dennis Gay replied
Hiya BUNNY!
Great to see you come all the way from the USA to Kattang for my fungi hunt and that you have left such a supportive and encouraging ”...amazing…” wrap for my li’l Cyptotrama.
Thanks heaps for the double honour of adding Spike to your favourites collection and my portfolio to your watchlist. Enjoy the ride.
GB
Dennis
Richard George
An excellent image and series. Congratulations!
Dennis Gay replied
Kazoom RICHARD!
Great to have another RB fungi hunter on the trail and that your eagle eye has spotted this tiny spikey subject.
Many thanks indeedy for your ”...excellent…” wrap for the famous Spike and for your congratz for the Feature.
GB
Dennis
Maria Moro
Dennis Gay replied
Hola MARIA!
Thanks you for deeming this worthy of the Challenge. Consider it entered.
GB
D!
parmi
Dennis Gay replied
Carumba PARMI!
My utmost thanks for being the bearer of such great news. I am honoured.
GB
Dennis
Kristina K
fantastic dennis, no wonder it keeps winning features and making top 10 in challenges..well done :) k
Dennis Gay replied
Hiya KRISTINA!
Welcome to Kattang Nature Reserve and my fungi hunt.
Thank you kindly for your “fantastic…” wrap for this li’l Fungus and its continuing success. So glad you like it.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 25-8-09
This li’l golden Fungus was awarded 5th Place in the Shapes & Patterns Group’s Patterns on Fungi & Mushrooms Challenge.
My warmest thanks to those who voted, the Hosts and all who have supported this work. Without such encouragement and support it may still be buried deep in my hard drive never to see the light of competition.
GB
Dennis
fezoj64
Much good work Dennis,congratulate ! ..Jozef
Dennis Gay replied
Howdy FEZOJ!
Happy to see you join in the fungi hunt with the RB gang.
Thank you so much for your very supportive and encouraging “Much good work…” comment and your warm congratulations.
GB
Dennis
Denitsa Dabizheva
Fantastic image! The lighting, the detail, the composition – everything about it is perfect :)
Dennis Gay replied
Ciao DENIDAB!
That’s the way! Get right down into the leaf litter to get a good look at Spike.
Your interest in my fungus and your uplifting and encouraging “Fantastic…” wrap for this shot is most welcome.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Thank you too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection.
GB
D!
Esther van de ...
Congratulations, Dennis !! You came in Ninth place of the Cream de la Cream Fungi challenge.
Dennis Gay replied
Yahoo ESTHER!
My thanks for you bearing the banner with such good news. I am honoured.
GB
D!
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 21-10-09
My tiny spikey fungus made it into the TOP TEN of the Fungilicious Group’s Cream de la Cream Fungi Challenge.
Lotsa thanks to those who voted, the Hosts and to all who have appreciated and supported Spike.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
G’day Desert Spirit Studios .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it and how it made you feel.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
G’day Antonello Incagnone “incant” .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it and how it made you feel.
GB
Dennis
steppeland
aww, gorgeous little extravagant creature! And marvellous pic – congrats with the top10 placement!
Dennis Gay replied
Aloha STEPPELAND!
That’s the way! Get down into the leaf litter with me for a look at this li’l wonder.
Lotsa thanks for your most generous and encouraging “awww, gorgeous…” comment for my spikey fungus and for your cheery congratz for the Feature.
GB
Dennis