Mushrooms Digital Photography
These gorgeous mushrooms are some of the specimens I photographed a few days ago on my walk. I was trying to ID them and was sidetracked when I came across two wonderful TED talk videos on mushrooms, their usefulness and their new role in the modern technological developments. Paul Stamet holds numerous patents and in his TED talk, outlines six ways mushrooms can save the world. He has fine tuned cleaning polluted soil, making insecticides, treating smallpox, ridding carpenter ants and termites etc. using mushrooms. His 'Life Boxes' are a surprising way to renew the soil! He 'seeks to rescue the study of mushrooms from forest gourmets and psychedelic warlords.' It is a treat to watch his talk . I am amazed by the potential that is hidden in these life forms! I also found out that 400 million years ago they were giant three feet tall mushrooms called Prototaxitis and their fossil can be found in Saudi Arabia!
"Are the mushrooms the new plastic?" is the title of the TED Talk by Eben Bayer. ' Eben Bayer is a product designer and he 'reveals his recipe for a new, fungus-based packaging material that protects fragile stuff like furniture, plasma screens — and the environment.' I have new respect for these nature's wonders and recycling system.
And if you can name these mushrooms, please leave a comment and let me know :)
17 comments:
Can't help you with names Meera. But I do admire their beauty. Cool pictures Meera. Thanks for sharing.
love the first one, the waves and the color
@Heera, Thank you ! I am amazed at the variety of mushrooms in our area! I don't remember seeing this many all these years! There are at least 4-5 more varieties in my collection :) I hope you got to watch those
TED talks with the kids :)
B, Thanks :) This was just the edge of the log -which was covered by the mushrooms :)
Aren't mushrooms interesting? So strange looking. I too love walking.
Nice pics of the toadstools! and thank you for the kind words..must check the Tedx talk..sounds interesting.
Thank you Lisa! and they are very colorful and come in so many shapes and forms!!!
@Sanctified spaces, thanks! TED Talks and speakers are always very cool. creative and amazing :)
Love the mushroom photos. I enjoy taking shots of them too.
Thank you Carol ! I actually enjoyed taking close ups from ground level :)
There are so many names that I cant keep any of them in my poor brain, but yes, the shapes and colours are fascinating!
Padmaja, I have been id-ing them with adjectives -the orange one, the wavy kind, the fuzzy knob :)
cool photos...
thanks
Thanks Krishna! Happy that you like it too :)
Wow. Those photos are amazing. Just beautiful! And who knew mushrooms were so useful?? Loved this post meera. :)
Crystal, Thank you! Aren't those one of the most amazing things in nature!
Mushrooms are something I've always stayed away from, in any cuisine, but your photographs and that TED talk have compelled me to review my thoughts on them, at least in the non-edible space.
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