It's Time for the Fungi

Autumn is the time when the fungi come into their own, and there are some spectacular ones in this area, including this magnificent specimen of fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), which was about 6" tall, described on one website as "the home of fairies and magical creatures and a lover of birch woodland, where it helps trees by transferring nutrients into their roots, but if eaten can cause hallucinations and psychotic reactions." We found it in Golspie glen but have also seen less well-preserved specimens elsewhere.

This is a puffball, the largest about 2" across, which seems to like growing in small groups. It's called a dusky puffball, Lycoperdon nigrescens, and unlike fly agaric, it's edible.

This perfect puffball, the size of, and looking just like a tennis ball, may be the common puffball, Lycoperdum perlatum.

This is the appropriately-named parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) which is described as good to eat. It, and the preceding two puffballs, were all growing on the links at Littleferry.