just emerged

Ok, I know I'm going to get in trouble for this, but I'm one who will move distracting branches/grass for images and then move them back after the shot.  IMHO the grass is distracting. The Amineta is nicely placed in the frame however.  Also I'd crop the top quarter.

Douglas,

thank you very much for your thoughtful critique.

I'm of the opinion that this kind of image is not a controlled studio shot but an image of nature.

It shows how I saw that fungi, without embellishments.

Nature usually is a messy affair for our eyes, & especially brain which always tries to suggest some order in the world - an orderliness which does not exist at all. 'Sanitized for your protection'? - it isn't.

So, I'll leave it as it is.

cheers

Sam