Francis Hickenbottom
@fhickenbottom.bsky.social
Retired physics teacher, interested in woodcarving, fungi, plants (especially alpines, cacti and succulents) and cosmology.
We've had some wet days recently, so I've been sketching a few of the misericords of @wakecathedral.bsky.social and this is one of my favourites. The cathedral has a good set of misericords.
November 14, 2025 at 11:35 AM
We've had some wet days recently, so I've been sketching a few of the misericords of @wakecathedral.bsky.social and this is one of my favourites. The cathedral has a good set of misericords.
I found this stunning Shaggy Parasol (Chlorophyllum rhacodes) at Nostell Priory yesterday. #FungiFriday
November 14, 2025 at 9:55 AM
I found this stunning Shaggy Parasol (Chlorophyllum rhacodes) at Nostell Priory yesterday. #FungiFriday
Cyanoboletus pulverulentus (The Ink-Staining Bolete) at Nostell Priory today.
November 13, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Cyanoboletus pulverulentus (The Ink-Staining Bolete) at Nostell Priory today.
Panaeolus papilionaceus (Petticoat Mottlegill) on decaying pony dung at Heath Common, Wakefield. I search for Poronia punctata on the common each year in the faint hope that the species might have survived here or, alternatively, a traveller might have bought a pony down in the New Forest area.
November 11, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Panaeolus papilionaceus (Petticoat Mottlegill) on decaying pony dung at Heath Common, Wakefield. I search for Poronia punctata on the common each year in the faint hope that the species might have survived here or, alternatively, a traveller might have bought a pony down in the New Forest area.
Members of the Mid-Yorks Fungus Group found a large patch of the aromatic resupinate fungus Mycoacia nothofagi on the vertical side of a beech stump. I initially picked up the smell of coconut but I later detected pineapple and other notes that I don't know how to describe.
November 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Members of the Mid-Yorks Fungus Group found a large patch of the aromatic resupinate fungus Mycoacia nothofagi on the vertical side of a beech stump. I initially picked up the smell of coconut but I later detected pineapple and other notes that I don't know how to describe.
It sounds as though you will be interested in hearing about the Esculent Phallus.
November 9, 2025 at 6:17 PM
It sounds as though you will be interested in hearing about the Esculent Phallus.
I spent an enjoyable couple of hours earlier today perusing a fascinating old book: An History of the Fungusses Growing About Halifax, by John Bolton. It's fascinating to look at the names being used to see how ideas about classification were forming 200 years ago.
November 7, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I spent an enjoyable couple of hours earlier today perusing a fascinating old book: An History of the Fungusses Growing About Halifax, by John Bolton. It's fascinating to look at the names being used to see how ideas about classification were forming 200 years ago.
Gloioxanthomyces vitellinus was a nice find in a chuchyard in North Yorkshire today. This id only the third site that I have found for this species.
November 5, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Gloioxanthomyces vitellinus was a nice find in a chuchyard in North Yorkshire today. This id only the third site that I have found for this species.
I was pleased to be able to add a Ramaria to my species list for the almshouses. A MYFG member spotted several clumps of Ramaria stricta (Upright Coral) yesterday.
November 2, 2025 at 8:40 AM
I was pleased to be able to add a Ramaria to my species list for the almshouses. A MYFG member spotted several clumps of Ramaria stricta (Upright Coral) yesterday.
I missed the stalk colour. It is a Didymium. I think the shape of the peridial crystal is o.k. for D squamulosum.
November 1, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I missed the stalk colour. It is a Didymium. I think the shape of the peridial crystal is o.k. for D squamulosum.
Arrhenia acerosa (Moss Oysterling) was an interesting find on the croquet lawn of the Archbishop Holgate Hospital today during a foray with the Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group.
November 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Arrhenia acerosa (Moss Oysterling) was an interesting find on the croquet lawn of the Archbishop Holgate Hospital today during a foray with the Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group.
Identification of little brown jobs can sometimes be challenging but substrate can give an important clue. Here's Naucoria striatula (Striate Aldercap) growing amongst the exposed, tangled roots of Alnus glutinosa (Common Alder). #fungi
October 30, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Identification of little brown jobs can sometimes be challenging but substrate can give an important clue. Here's Naucoria striatula (Striate Aldercap) growing amongst the exposed, tangled roots of Alnus glutinosa (Common Alder). #fungi
Here are some miniatures seen during a foray that I led for Doncaster Nats today. The Physarum and the Didymium are slime moulds and the Mollisia and the Orbilia are ascomycete fungi.
October 29, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Here are some miniatures seen during a foray that I led for Doncaster Nats today. The Physarum and the Didymium are slime moulds and the Mollisia and the Orbilia are ascomycete fungi.
I found a patch beneath some birches on a reclaimed spoil heap that is rich in fungi. Amongst other species, there were many Amanita rubescens (Blushers) that were looking particularly good. #fungi
October 29, 2025 at 8:41 AM
I found a patch beneath some birches on a reclaimed spoil heap that is rich in fungi. Amongst other species, there were many Amanita rubescens (Blushers) that were looking particularly good. #fungi
I've seen lots of Panaeolus semiovatus on the dung of ponies grazing on Heath Common, Wakefield but this is the largest specimen that I have encountered. #fungi
October 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I've seen lots of Panaeolus semiovatus on the dung of ponies grazing on Heath Common, Wakefield but this is the largest specimen that I have encountered. #fungi
One of the many good things about looking at fungi is that it's possible to visit a site for years and still turn up new species for the site list. Volvopluteus gloiocephalus (Stubble Rosegill) was one of several added to the Wintersett list during a public foray yesterday.
October 27, 2025 at 6:35 AM
One of the many good things about looking at fungi is that it's possible to visit a site for years and still turn up new species for the site list. Volvopluteus gloiocephalus (Stubble Rosegill) was one of several added to the Wintersett list during a public foray yesterday.
A foray at Wintersett turned up this interesting fungus on a Poplar twig. I've identified it as Schizophyllum amplum, which has the common name Poplar Bells.
October 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
A foray at Wintersett turned up this interesting fungus on a Poplar twig. I've identified it as Schizophyllum amplum, which has the common name Poplar Bells.
I will never tire of looking at the gills of waxcap fungi.
October 23, 2025 at 6:17 AM
I will never tire of looking at the gills of waxcap fungi.
Xerocomellus cisalpinus is now known as the Bluefoot Bolete and a cross-section is needed to check the identification. This species and X chrysenteron caused some confusion for me when I first encountered them. #fungi
October 22, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Xerocomellus cisalpinus is now known as the Bluefoot Bolete and a cross-section is needed to check the identification. This species and X chrysenteron caused some confusion for me when I first encountered them. #fungi
At a recent talk, someone asked me whether any insects eat fungi. I was also asked why I am not interested in collecting fungi to eat. This clip of an Armillaria at Brockadale that has passed its best answers both questions. #fungi
October 21, 2025 at 4:07 AM
At a recent talk, someone asked me whether any insects eat fungi. I was also asked why I am not interested in collecting fungi to eat. This clip of an Armillaria at Brockadale that has passed its best answers both questions. #fungi
The Firerug Inkcap (Coprinellus domesticus) and its orange ozonium. This specimen is growing at the Archbishop Holgate Hospital, West Yorkshire. #fungi
October 20, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The Firerug Inkcap (Coprinellus domesticus) and its orange ozonium. This specimen is growing at the Archbishop Holgate Hospital, West Yorkshire. #fungi
Helvella crispa and a few members of a foray being led by members of the Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group in the rain at Harlow Carr today.
October 19, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Helvella crispa and a few members of a foray being led by members of the Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group in the rain at Harlow Carr today.
The flower beds at RHS Harlow Carr provide a habitat for Crucibulum laeve (Common Bird's Nest) but you have to look closely to spot the numerous tiny nests. #fungi
October 19, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The flower beds at RHS Harlow Carr provide a habitat for Crucibulum laeve (Common Bird's Nest) but you have to look closely to spot the numerous tiny nests. #fungi