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Rambling Ray

@rayrambling.bsky.social
794 followers 533 following 289 posts

🦋 Connoisseur of Nature 🍷 🍄 Species observer 🔎 🐛 Wildlife Photographer 🌸 🌳 Admirer of Ancient Landscape 🌱 Connecting Nature through Expression

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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Although caps are usually Biscuit Brown on Suede Bolete Boletus subtomentosus, very occasionally you find this lovely felted Yellow colour. Plus the most enormous Penny Bun Boletus edulis I recall seeing at Bolehill Quarry, 25cm plus like a Baked Crusty Roll #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
You really do get full value from the Blood-Red colour on Bloody Brittlegill Russula sanguinaria NT Longshaw Estate Pine Forest, plus Remarkable Milk White Brittlegill Russula delica, Caps grow underground and develop hypogeously pushing soil upwards with them! #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Wonderful sight here of a Mature, fully intact Whitelaced Shank Megacollybia platyphylla, they really do look Quite Magnificent at NT Ashridge Estate. Initially Bluish Grey-Brown, they develop radial streaks split from the margins. Named after White Mycelial laces #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The stars of Bolehill Quarry yesterday were undoubtedly The Blusher Amanita rubescens with around 200 seen, this one naturally passing Pink bruising test. Plus Impressive Guttation on this Beefsteak Mushroom bitter sour droplets designed to deter nibbling insects #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
After not seeing any across six Scottish Reserves visited last weekend, so Happy to see my first Fly Agarics Amanita muscaria this year at Bolehill Quarry yesterday, well worth the wait too! Lovely contrast of Sun-Blushed and Cherry-Red individuals #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Thrilled to find Nationally Scarce Beech Gall Midge Mikiola fagi NT Ashridge Estate this week. Large Galls Males 5mm Females 10mm. Start Yellow Barrel shaped, become Cherry Red Lanterns. Thought to have been extinct in UK for two decades, now recent resurgence in SE England #galls #diptera
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Two Extreme Rarities here, found along Birnam Riverside close to the Historic Birnam Oak. Beech Knight Tricholoma sciodes Dark Grey central caps with Lilac tints & Dark cap flecks. Earthy Webcap Cortinarius hinnuleus (Tawny-Cinnamon) has a strong Earthy smell #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Lovely to see both the regular and Rare White form of Pink Purslane Claytonia sibirica, Almondell & Calderwood SSSI West Lothian. Occasionally has Purple veins vice Pink. Thrives in damp Woodland. Plant unusually rich in Omega Oils @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Thrilled to find Magnificent Humpback Brittlegill Russula caerulea South Annsmuir Wood Fife. Initially glossy umbonate Purple turning vinaceous, they develop the Right Hump as they mature and grow old! Another Scots Pine specialist, caps peel easily #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Attractive looking Slippery Jack Suillus luteus Heatherhall Woods Fife. Luteus means Muddy as per Cap appearance. Young Pores covered in White veil which forms a skirt, unusual for a Bolete. Most common North of the Border due to symbiotic arrangement with Scots Pine #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Impressive looking White Saddle Helvella crispa Inver Riverside path, appears to have a Double Saddle with a Side-Saddle rest too, yee-haw! Nice looking Deceivers Laccaria laccata, various shades of Apricot-Orange with a reflective White Bloom #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Other notable New NT Hardcastle Crags Location finds this week. Lovely looking Tapioca Slime Mould Brefeldia maxima on a rotting Beech tree, plus amazed to see a Scarletina Bolete Neoboletus luridiformis with its Bay Brown Cap and Barrel-shaped dotted Red stem #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Thrilled to find Wrinkled Shield Pluteus phlebophorus NT Hardcastle Crags. Amber-Brown caps noted for vein-like wrinkles around Cap centre and Yellow stipe. Lovely Deer Shield nearby, caps are more smooth and Fawn coloured with longitudinal stipe lines #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
What a start to Woodear season Auricularia auricula-judae. An Absolute Beauty of Dr Spock proportions at Hardcastle Crags this week! Keeping with Pale Pink theme, some Lovely looking Beech Jellydisc Neobulgaria pura maturing into their Ascomycete Cup form #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
NT Hardcastle Crags at its Finest this week after heavy rainfall. Most Beautiful Yellow Stagshorn Calocera viscosa with perfect Golden Yellow Antlers wet, turns Orange-Red dry. Impressive Small Stagshorn Calocera cornea too, usually a Paler Yellow with tapered tips #FungiFriends #Fungi #Mycology
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Special find NT Hardcastle Crags this week, Pale tussock moth Calliteara pudibunda. Beautiful Scarlet tail, beware when Black body markings appear! Once called Hop Dogs in SE England, as many a Hop Picker has suffered severe skin irritation from their Bristly hair #TeamMoth #MothsMatter
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Rare glimpse of Twin-spot Centurion Sargus bipunctatus NT Erddig Park. Our largest Sargus species 10mm, named after two White spots near antennae. Vastly under-recorded September species on another Riverside Rarity Horsemint Mentha longifolia @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Always a delight to find attractive Coastal Chalk Downland WildFlower Hound's-tongue Cynoglossum officinale lovely Burgundy-Red member of the Borage family. Often overlooked but equally Beautiful Sea Rocket, a Pioneer species where shingle meets sand @bsbibotany.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Other Uncommon Dawlish Warren NNR Dune Slack finds, Rare glimpse of a Late Michaelmas Daisy S. × ⁠versicolor, first seen Wild in Britain in 1817. Great to see Saltmarsh specialist Parsley Water-dropwort Oenanthe lachenalii, now Near-Threatened inland @bsbibotany.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Lovely to see most Beautiful vibrant Orange Bog Asphodel #seedheads Gentleshaw Common peat Bog this week. Plus uncommon sight Dawlish Warren NNR, Alder Wrinkle Taphrina tosquinetii, Gall Fungus that Blisters Alder leaves, coats them in White ascospores @bsbibotany.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Extra Special find Gentleshaw Quarry this week. Rare glimpse of Heath Rustic Xestia agathina. Moth Species of Conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, declined 73% in recent years. Left photo at rest, they habitually feign death in daylight #TeamMoth #MothsMatter
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Great to see at least a dozen pristine condition Painted Lady Butterflies all feeding on Hemp Agrimony (aka Raspberries and Cream) on Whitehawk Hill Brighton. Vital energy source ahead of a long migration, when they cruise at 30mph, flying at 500m plus altitudes @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Lovely to see Rare White form of Devil's-bit Scabious Succisa pratensis Cors Goch NNR this week, Pollinators can't get enough of it! Real bonus to see Marsh Lousewort Pedicularis palustris Pale Pink three-lobed margins Purple centre @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Two Magnificent sights at Cors Goch NNR this week. An alluring Grass-of-parnassus has drawn in some Beautiful Cocksfoot Moths Glyphipterix simpliciella. Just 4mm has metallic Copper sheen & Black wing spots. Loves wetland Meadows full of Buttercups @bsbibotany.bsky.social #TeamMoth #MothsMatter
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Special visit this week to Anchor Bottom, Where BC Sussex Recorded 2148 Male Adonis Blue Butterflies a day earlier with estimated 8-10k across vast Chalk Downland. Saw hundreds myself, their Magnificent Sky-Blue colour really does catch your eye! @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Wonderful camouflage on Wall Brown Butterfly Cors Goch NNR this week. Designed to blend into Rocks, Stones & walls, clearly Boardwalks work well too! No such issue with a Beautiful Small Copper, Happy to bask in a nearby Wildflower Meadow @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Wonderful to see Nationally Scarce Round-headed Rampion Phyteuma orbiculare, aka Pride of Sussex at Beachy Head. Lovely curved globular Flowers with unusual anchors on stigma tips. Grass-of-Parnassus Parnassia palustris Ainsdale NNR @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Another absolute Beauty Cors Goch NNR. Ruby-Red flowers of Marsh Cinquefoil Comarum palustre, pointed star-shaped sepals much broader than inner petals. Roots stay submerged underwater. Regarded as Great Nectar rich source for Bees @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Lovely to see Beautiful Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella Cors Goch NNR Anglesey Fens. Lilac-Pink round petals with Red veins. Gregarious plant of Fens & Bogs, growing alongside Bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata with its pretty Whiskers @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Special find Cors Goch NNR Anglesey Fens. Nationally Scarce Bog Waxcap Hygrocybe coccineocrenata. Brilliant Orange-Red Caps, key ID Feature Dark Cap scales. Appears only on Sphagnum moss. Most Records June to August in North Wales Bogs & Catfield Fen Norfolk #FungiFriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Drama Whitehawk Hill Brighton last week, Enormous 22mm Female Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi crawling up my trouser leg! Popped her onto my hand, found secluded vegetation to feed on favourite delicacy, Crickets & Grasshoppers! Lovely Long-tailed Blue too @savebutterflies.bsky.social #InsectThursday
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Great to have an Extremely Rare glimpse of a lovely Marbled White Spot Moth Protodeltote pygarga Cors Goch NNR Anglesey Fens, Nocturnal North Wales species. Plus a Magnificent looking Rhubarb and Custard Moth Oncocera semirubella aka Rosy Knot-Horn Dawlish Warren NNR #Teammoth #Mothweek #MothsMatter
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Thrilled to catch a Rare glimpse of Red Poplar Leaf Beetle Chrysomela populi Dawlish Warren NNR last week. She was having a snooze after recent egg laying. 12mm Adults feed entirely on Willow & Poplar leaves. Mainly found around Southern & Wales Coastline #WildWebsWednesday #InsectThursday
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Thrilled to have my first Cloud Wood encounter for three years with a shy and elusive White-letter Hairstreak close to Wych Elm trees, popping down for an alluring Wild Marjoram feed. Great to see Grizzled Skippers in Good numbers at Pewsey Downs NNR this year too @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Two Extreme Rarities. Great to see Nationally Scarce White-Striped Darwin Wasp Ichneumon sarcitorius Battlesbury Hill. Ferocious carnivore Blue Shieldbug Zicrona caerulea Jones's Mill Vera Jeans Reserve Pewsey using their long rostrum to drain bodily Beetle fluids #WildWebsWednesday #InsectThursday
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Glorious looking Purple & Gold Moth Pyrausta purpuralis less common than Mint Moths, Nationally Scarce Silver-spotted Skipper Butterfly NT Cissbury Ring. Almost extinct UK 50 years ago declining Rabbit scrapes where sole larval Foodplant Sheep’s-fescue grows @savebutterflies.bsky.social #MothsMatter
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Special encounter at Brocton Coppice 600 year Old Ancient Oak Woodland. Magnificent Common Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides. Undertakers of the Natural World, they can detect & bury dead mice & birds two miles away within an hour of death #WildWebsWednesday #InsectThursday
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Seasonal Highlights Catch up at last! Great to see Green Hairstreak Butterflies doing well at NT Calstone Coombes, and Duke of Burgundy at BC Incombe Hole. Beautiful Orange-Brown wing markings. Summer droughts can be devastating to survival of fragile 2cm caterpillars @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Finally Unexpected find Ashridge Estate. Rare glimpse of Ivory Woodwax Hygrophorus eburneus in favoured Beech Woodland. Just 533 National Records, caps covered in Slime, hence large blobs on stipe. Called Cowboy's Handkerchief in North America #fungifriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
The most Beautiful Rosy Bonnets Mycena rosea I've seen this year in Epping Forest. Lovely deep Lilac-Pink, radial lines, tapering stipe towards apex, downy hair at base, Lovely upturned Gills. Distinct smell of Radish wafting through the Woodland air too! #fungifriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Lovely examples of Variable Oysterling Crepidotus variabilis Epping Forest. Whereas most Oysterlings are a uniform shape, Variable having a Sessile attachment, appear as either semi-circular brackets or full circular fans. Also Thrilled to find Fenugreek Stalkball Phleogena faginea #fungifriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Lovely to see Meadow Coral Clavulinopsis corniculata Birkrigg Common. Grows just 4cm in short cropped Habitat. Branches split dichotomously into blunt antlers. Important Unimproved Grassland Indicator species of Biodiversity-rich environments. Pretty Lemon Disco Calycina citrina too! #fungifriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Another Dazzling spectacle in Herbert's Meadows, Ulverscroft. An amazing Purple Parrot Waxcap Gliophorus psittacinus! A combination of Bottle Green, Yellow, Orange, Purple or Blue are always possible to be seen on these Beautiful looking individuals #fungifriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Astounding find NT Clumber Park. Extremely Rare glimpse Aspen Bolete Leccinum albostipitatum. Terracotta orange caps margin overhangs pores. White flocculose stipe bruises Blue. Just 26 National Records. Also Lovely Orange Oak Bolete Leccinum aurantiacum found in Epping Forest #fungifriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Undoubtedly Star of the Kerridge Hill Waxcap Show, Rare encounter with most Beautiful Pink Ballerina Porpolomopsis calyptriformis I've ever seen, wonderful moist Lilac Pink, one of eight seen. Nearby another one with impressive gills tutu! #fungifriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Special find Ancient Beech Woodland near 11th Century Norman motte-and-bailey Castle remains Erddig Park. Rare glimpse of Verdigris Roundhead Stropharia aeruginosa, looks Emerald Green projects deep Blue-Green. Retains Flaky veil unlike Blue Roundhead #fungifriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Lovely looking Amethyst Deceivers Laccaria amethystina in Bole Hill Quarry. Nice contrast of Lilac-Purple with Caps showing upturned margins as they mature. Also in dry weather they're White Bloom surfaces, eventually turning Pale #fungifriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Seasonal Highlights of Colourful Fungi finds on my extensive travels. An Impressive looking White Saddle Helvella crispa along Banks of River Braan at Inver village. Plus Extremely Rare glimpse of Nationally Scarce Prunes and Custard Tricholomopsis decora Heatherhall Woods Ladybank #fungifriends
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Surprise find Cwm Idwal Mountain path Rare glimpse of New-Zealand Willowherb Epilobium brunnescens Long Orange-Brown stems heart shaped leaves. Introduced Edinburgh 1904, found in upland areas, requires 1350mm annual precipitation @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Lovely to see Pale Pink three-lobed flowers, Lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica Boggy areas around Llyn Idwal. Also Nationally scarce Parsley Fern Cryptogramma crispa, Cwm Idwal Mountain ledges. Indicator species of Acidic Scree slopes @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
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