2008 In Praise of Plants - Specially Commended
Thierry Van Baelinghem (France)
Boletus in the rain
'The Monts du Lyonnais woods near my home outside Lyon were full of mushrooms and toadstools. Lying on the soggy leaf-litter, the challenge was to keep my equipment dry. I waited all afternoon until the sun was soft enough to bring out the delicate colour of the bolete and surrounding moss, and then I used the rain to enhance the toadstool's organic form.' Young bay boletes have chunky rounded caps, which spread out as they get older. These mushrooms grow in woodlands all over Europe and North America, and because they are less prone to maggots than other boletes, they make a good meal.
Nikon D100 + 60mm f2.8G ED AF-S micro Nikkor lens; 1/60 sec at f5.6; ISO 200.
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Adult awards Swamp cypress Cece Fabbro
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Adult awards Celebration lily Fredrik Ehrenström
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Adult awards Ancient survivor Koos van der Lende
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Adult awards Saffrondrop bonnets Danny Laps
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Adult awards Leaf drop Darran Leal
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Adult awards Bottle in the wind Koos van der Lende
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The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine.