Last year, during the fungi season, I visited Wolli Creek a number of times. It is perhaps the closest fungi area to where I live. But the fungi that I and observed there have not been particularly striking. For a fungi photographer I was looking for bright colours or interesting forms – such as corals or stinkhorns.
This fungi season seemed to start quiet slowly. I visited the area a few times earlier in the year – walking down the Two Valley Track from Bexley North to Turella or riding my bike over and walking down to the creek from Earlwood. On these trips the fungi I found was pretty poor. In May, I visited the area with the Sydney Fungal Studies Group and we found a reasonable amount on nice fungi – but none of it particulate colourful.
More recently I have made two trips along the Two Valley Track and found a fair bit of interesting fungi – particularly along there section between Bardwell Park and Turella. In particular I found quite a number of hygrocybes.
Then I saw some photos recently posted on the Sydney Fungi Facebook Page. SFSG members Gregg Cook and Joanna Robinski had discovered a tiny area packed with hygrocybes and other interesting fungi. I contacted them and found where this fungi was and the next morning raced over on my bike with my camera gear. It took a bit of time to find he exact spot – you have to go well off the track – and that means pushing through some nasty bush – including lantana. But the effort was well worth it. The patch of fungi was truly amazing. Some of the fungi there is quite rare.
Here is a little of what the area contained –
More photos, together with identifications are on my website here.