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2008 In Praise of Plants - Highly Commended

Danny Laps Click to enlarge Saffrondrop bonnets

Danny Laps (Belgium)

Saffrondrop bonnets

'I was pleased to find these diminutive mushrooms in a dark Belgian wood. I was charmed by their delicate, glowing colours, softened by the light streaming through the beech leaves. Through my lens it felt like I was looking at a scene fresh from a child's tale. Only the fairy was missing.' Saffrondrop bonnets are not a common type of mushroom, but are most often found growing in chalky areas, on wood or sticks, in clusters. When it is snapped or forcefully poked it exudes a bright orange latex. Fungi like this species are neither classified as plants nor animals - they are in a kingdom of their own.

Nikon D200 + 200mm f4 micro lens; 1/6 sec at f6.3; ISO 100; Manfrotto 055 tripod + Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead.

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