Fungus. Bugs. Fungus IN bugs. Come spend a few days doing just that

*somebody* bought the most gorgeous le creuset teal kettle at half price on the sale

sadly not, i dont know anywhere near me that would have them. I shall begin a quest and find my prize.

I'm now craving jalapeno cheese scones. with a fat layer of butter

Im going to wreck your luggage allowance when you come to London, there are 3 bookshops to tale you to

Lol..MORE books to read?

Tell me something about fixed stars please

These little weirdo fungi are really beautiful and deeply odd

The search for beetlehangers on ladybirds YouTube video by #TeamLaboul

One of the sampling campaigns of #FunDive, a 🇪🇺 project promoting fungal conservation, focuses on #Hesperomyces, a parasite on ladybirds – but we need YOU🫵! My PhD student @michieldegroot.bsky.social made a video with everything you want to know. youtu.be/HXfhY00U6M4?... #CitizenScience #TeamLaboul

indeedy, one of the best ones i've seen - and it came out a corker in the photo too :)

I'm going to preface this by admitting this is my own; sturdy, perhaps too short a handle. Wide bellied and accommodating (like me), access is a bit tight (like me) but capacious and good in the field. Has good curves and is generally lovely (like me)

Another trug, albeit lacking the adjustable handles of the former. Need i say more?

Repurposing a standard 'country shopper' is all very modern and eco freidly, but its true orgins are on display. This was never meant to carry the beauties of the fungal kingdome. Clearly having to make-do. A short handle and such a thick build betray its true purpose for root vegeatables.

A petite version of the 'jeep', a brighter, more vibrant colour - defintely difficult to lose in the leaf litter. On the smaller side.

A Trug. The familair - dare i say common? - garden trug. A short, guttora name or a basket to match. The slatted form restricts spore dropping. Could be considered the fungal contraceptive of baskets?

A more delicate take on the classic; smooth edges, sleek lines and a nice long handle to give it some proper swing in the field. Loose weave for decor; a timeless classic.

This oblong beast is the jeep of baskets; strong, sturdy, corners for bashing your way past slower mycologists to get to the good stuff. Wide open surface, flat bottom, a proper workshorse.

Back at the beginning of November we did a week of fieldwork in the Forest of Dean with the British Mycological Society. Obviously lots of lovely mushrooms, but i took the time to phtogrpah the array of collecting baskets on show. here's my review;

In case you find me here; its fungi, science and gay stuff all the way down from here on in.