When Is A Fungus – Not A Fungus?..... What A Place To Live….From ‘Freedom From Torture’….
by Bernie Bell - 08:11 on 25 October 2023
When Is A Fungus – Not A Fungus?.....
I previously did a ‘Name that Fungi’ series in The Orkney News…. https://theorkneynews.scot/?s=Name+that+fungi
We went for a walk on Monday and came across something which we didn’t recognize - I posted it on the Orkney Wildlife Facebook page and got lots of response’s – Orkney Wildlife Facebook page is A GOOD THING!….. https://www.facebook.com/groups/133013273445588/?locale=en_GB
“I’m asking about fungi again. This is on the path between the Bay of Hinderayre and the old Kirkyard.
Mike says it’s a Slime mould…I say it ain’t…???
Replies.....
“Mike is in the right direction: it's a slime. Probably Mucilago crustacea - the most common one. In a couple of days it will be like a grey/white dollop as it matures.”
“I'm not sure. Slime moulds resemble a very small flowered cauliflower, sponge or moss and they're not a fungi though used to be included as one. These look too smooth though that could be the photo/reflection? Apparently, slimes can move ... 1mm an hou…
See more”
If you’re interested, best go to Orkney Wildlife Facebook page for more.
I like one respondent’s reference to ‘adding info. to intrigue’ - said it was a good title for a story – so thought I’d tell the story, which continued on Tuesday.
Mike went for the same walk and saw that what he describes as ‘The Hinderayre Entity’ has changed – looks more like a Slime mould – OK, I concede - it is a Slime mould! We’d never seen one it its early stages before – a time-lapse video would be groovy!
He says it has the delightful name of ‘Dogs Vomit’ – and here it is, in all its glory…
He says there are similar ones in the Kirkyard ….
They’re multiplying…..colonizing…..taking over….call out the Civil Defence, they’ve landed!
Some links with further info. and it’s even more delightful Latin name!....
Dog's vomit slime mould Fuligo septica…
https://mknhs.org.uk/grow-your-own-slime-moulds/
https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/dog-vomit-slime-mould
https://laidbackgardener.blog/2020/07/11/dog-vomit-slime-mold-a-surprising-garden-visitor/
And here’s one I made earlier….
https://theorkneynews.scot/2021/11/23/slime-mold-at-marwick-bay/
*****************************************************************
What A Place To Live….
https://archaeologyorkney.com/2023/10/23/gaan-nort/
…where taking the time to tell a tale, and the tales that are told, are still valued.
Many of the cycles of farming life haven’t changed much – the kye are being moved indoors for the winter – and a long winter it must seem to them – we watch them kick up their heels when they’re let out in the Spring!
On Monday we went for a walk near where we live and, all the way, could hear cattle complaining.
Mike made up a song…
‘The Orkney Kye they sing this song
Do dah do dah
We’re stuck inside now winter long
Oh de do da day
Gonna bellow all night
Gonna bellow all day
The Orkney kye they sing this song
Oh de do da day.’
I wrote the following in m’blog on the 11th of October….
“The Year Moves On….
And so do the Kye. Yesterday afternoon the cows & calves were being brought home to the nearby farm after spending summer farther afield.
The neighbours were all warned to close their gates. We don’t have a gate, so Mike made a barricade across the driveway out of fish-boxes and ladders – then we watched the kye, go by – and they’re fine healthy cattle too – Orkney’s finest - well covered and ‘clean’ - some poo, obviously, but nice, ‘clean’ animals.
There was something of an air of festival about it all – neighbours out to make sure the cattle ‘went by’ - having a chat. When the cattle in the nearby field heard the others approaching they clustered at the gate – very interested. A neighbour’s Collie dog was ecstatic - dashing back and forth across the lawn.
Where would we be without the hard work of the farmers?”
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16522
And…
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16524
********************************************************************
From ‘Freedom From Torture’….
“The Freedom from Torture Art Auction is now LIVE!
Bid now in our exclusive online art auction for the chance to win paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures donated by an array of emerging and established artists - whilst raising vital funds for survivors of torture.
BROWSE THE CATALOGUE AND BID NOW
This year's auction includes over 60 pieces from artists including Antony Gormley, Grayson Perry, David Hockney, Julian Opie, Mona Hatoum, Anish Kapoor, Ai Weiwei, Cornelia Parker and so many more.
You can also bid for beautiful paintings created by survivors of torture and artists Nasrin and Iqbal who benefitted from therapy and creative groups when they were clients at Freedom from Torture.
Bidding closes at 8:45pm on Monday 6 November so get bidding now!
100% of the sale price will go towards supporting survivors of torture to rebuild their lives in the safety of the UK.
If you are interested in any of the works in the live auction, please email events@freedomfromtorture.org or call 0207 697 7808
Thank you so much for your support!
Best wishes,
Samuel Morton
Special Events and Philanthropy Manager
****************************************************************
Here’s one I made earlier…. https://theorkneynews.scot/2022/04/09/the-broch-of-gorseness-as-it-stands/
Goodbye to Brochtober!
Add your comment
