in Summer

Made me look!

Hi Sam, a most unusual fungus.  Where did you find it?  I found one similar to this a few years ago in an alpine region of New South Wales.

Hi Margo,

this is a very common fungus: Tinder Fungus (Fomes fomentarius)

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fomes_fomentarius

Thanks very much for your contribution.

cheers

Sam

Almost looks like the 'hoof' of an animal Sam. Great capture! I love looking for fungus when trekking through the woods. Excellent focus and detail in this shot.

Hi Gail,

these types of fungi have accomapnied man during his/her development on earth.

Was for instance used by Oetzi, the Iceman, for making fire.

They are very hard, not soft like the mushrooms we eat.

Cheers

Sam