Forest comparisons

So Gail has been going on and on about all the splendid forest walks she enjoyed in the Puget Sound area over Christmas and New Year.

Apparently the trees were bigger than here, the ferns and mosses more abundant, the fungi slimier and the stream crossings more challenging.

Soon I'd heard quite enough, and it was time to go out for a walk and remind Gail that we have lovely woodlands here in Aberdeenshire too. 

And there's still one thing we do even better than Washington state...

MUD!! 

Nationalist mushrooms?

Who knew that the rivalry between England and Scotland extended to debates about fairy toadstools*? 

You doubt me?

Well let's consider a recent discussion on the 'Nature Talk' WhatsApp group (membership comprising Gail plus four friends in England), as seen on Gail's phone.

Her friend Helen posted this picture, taken near Southport, England.

Gail followed up with one she had taken in the Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve, Scotland.

Janet, who lives in Nottingham, England, initiated a small controversy - responses by Helen, then Gail.

I am pleased to report that the discussion ended amicably with the posting of two more photos of recently spotted fungi!  

*Fly agaric / Aminata muscaria (toxic to humans of course)

Happy Nature Friday! And thanks once again to our LLB Gang friends for hosting the blog hop.