The cool, moist weather has been perfect for a bumper crop of mushrooms.  They seem to like growing in patch of hay that has accumulated in front of our horse stalls.  I find it amazing just how quickly the mushroom patch appeared.  Quite literally, they popped up over night.  By the following night they begin to shrivel up, only to be replaced by a new batch of fresh shrooms.

A fresh bunch of mushrooms is just emerging from the damp ground.

Canon EOS 40D + EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM @ 68 mm — f/7.1, 1/250 sec, ISO 100

This mature mushroom is starting to show some slight wrinkles in its cap.

Canon EOS 40D + EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM @ 70 mm — f/7.1, 1/250 sec, ISO 100

Here are some mushrooms that are nearly spent.  They are beginning to look all shriveled and leathery.  Soon it will topple over on its dessicated stem only to be replaced by some fresh ones.

Canon EOS 40D + EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM @ 68 mm — f/7.1, 1/250 sec, ISO 100

The happy mushroom family: Ma, Pa, and Junior!

Canon EOS 40D + EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM @ 100 mm — f/7.1, 1/250 sec, ISO 100

I kind of like the look of this really harsh side-lighting.  The pale shrooms really stand out against poorly lit grass.

Canon EOS 40D + EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM @ 100 mm — f/7.1, 1/250 sec, ISO 100

The stalks on this variety of mushroom are very delicate.  I wouldn’t be surprised if this mushroom falls over under its own weight.

Canon EOS 40D + EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM @ 100 mm — f/7.1, 1/250 sec, ISO 100

Lilly is an excellent attendant.  She follows me all around the yard and isn’t content unless she’s in the middle of everything.

Canon EOS 40D + EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM @ 42 mm — f/7.1, 1/250 sec, ISO 100

Canon EOS 40D + EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM @ 60 mm — f/10, 1/250 sec, ISO 100