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Fly Agaric


Fly Agaric
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2386 W: 94 N: 5517] (17564)
Genre: Fungi
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-10-20
Categories: Fungi
Camera: Nikon D300, AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6 G, Digital JPEG
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Fly Agaric - Amanita muscaria 2. [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-11-06 8:53
Viewed: 222
Points: 64
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Something different this time. My first fungus, a very common one, with a tiny bonus on the head.

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the Fly Agaric or Ffly Amanita, is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Amanita muscaria has been unintentionally introduced to many countries in the Southern Hemisphere, generally as a symbiont with pine plantations, and is now a true cosmopolitan species. It associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees. The quintessential toadstool, it is a large white-gilled, white-spotted, usually deep red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. Several subspecies, with differing cap colour have been recognised to date, including the brown regalis (considered a separate species), the yellow-orange flavivolata, guessowii, and formosa, and the pinkish persicina. Genetic studies published in 2006 and 2008 show several sharply delineated clades which may represent separate species.

Although generally considered poisonous, deaths are extremely rare, and it has been consumed as a food in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America after parboiling in plentiful water. However, Amanita muscaria is now primarily famed for its hallucinogenic properties with its main psychoactive constituent being the compound muscimol. It was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the peoples of Siberia and has a religious significance in these cultures. There has been much speculation on traditional use of this mushroom as an intoxicant in places other than Siberia; however, such traditions are far less well-documented. The American banker and amateur ethnomycologist R. Gordon Wasson proposed the fly agaric was in fact the Soma talked about in the ancient Rig Veda texts of India; although this theory has been refuted by anthropologists, it gained common credence when first published in 1968.

The common name in English is thought to have been derived from its European use as an insecticide, when sprinkled in milk. The fly-killing agent is now known to be ibotenic acid. An alternative derivation proposes that the term fly- refers not to insects as such but rather the delirium resulting from consumption of the fungus. This is based on the medieval belief that flies could enter a person's head and cause mental illness.
jmirah, maurydv, cloud, marianas, joska, ferranjlloret, Alex99, marius-secan, hansh, nglen, boreocypriensis, nasokoun, jconceicao, Gert-Paassen, CeltickRanger, uleko, horias, xTauruSx, zulfu, Noisette, Hormon_Manyer, goldyrs, livius has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 23 N: 3656] (13083)
  • [2009-11-06 9:09]

Hi Peter,
we have quite a few of these here at the moment, i always expect to see a Goblin or Elf sat on top! A fine 'first' for you, with a good low POV and sharp detail, well done.
Paul

Hi Peter
I have yet to come across one of these beautiful fungi...Great color and POV...TFS
Jim

Hello Peter,
a very beautiful picture of Amanita muscaria, superb sharpness and lighting, splendid colours, POV, DOF and composition are excellent.
TFS
Have a good weekend
Maurizio

Ciao Peter. Splendid colours and great coontrast with good light. Best compliment for your first "dangerous" fungus.

Roberto

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 71 N: 758] (4689)
  • [2009-11-06 9:45]

Hello Peter,
You posted your first fungus and I've posted the same only last this year because like to gather them and sometimes to take shots when one look attractive. You used low POW and mushroom look nicely against blurred BG only I think that composition is to tight I would leave more space around it.
Regards, Pawel

Peter
Wonderful capture this fungus!
Great colors and details.
Congratulation!
Mariana

hallo Peter
heb je ze ook al gevonden?
ze blijven mooi ,en geen één is het zelfde
deze staat er weer goed op
mooie kleuren en goed van scherpte
groetjes lou

  • Great 
  • joska Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 406 W: 0 N: 1011] (5434)
  • [2009-11-06 10:10]

Very good photo of this mushroom!

Hi Peter,
magic mushroom .... nice capture
TFS. Ferran

Hello Peter,
What a superb red colour, very good composition and sharpness.
Marius.

Ciao Peter, beautiful fungi with fantastic colors, lovely blurry BG, fine details and excellent sharpness, wonderful composition, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • hansh Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 209 W: 1 N: 123] (526)
  • [2009-11-06 11:39]

Hallo Peter.

Een mooie foto van de vliegenzwam met, volgens mij, een klein strontvliegje erop. Leuk plaatje zo,

Gr. Hans

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2908 W: 34 N: 8623] (32138)
  • [2009-11-06 12:10]

Hi Peter. Congrats on your first fungi on TN. That one more than me to date. I like the low pov so we are at eye level with the fruit. Taken with bright colours. well taken TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-11-06 12:26]

Hi Peter,the choice of point of view was decisive for the beauty of this pic! Impressive sharpness and the best colors as possible,my best compliments,have a nice weekend,Luciano

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1373 W: 56 N: 4716] (16222)
  • [2009-11-06 13:38]

Hello Peter.
This is an excellent macro. Very colourful mushroom! Nice autumn on ground.
Very well done.Best regards Siggi

Hi and Good Morning Peter,

A different subject but awesome macro shot from you MF! The focus, DOF, clarity and composition are very impressive.
TFS & Cheers,

Bayram

hello Peter
impressive beautiful mushroom, you photographed it using very well the light and the output in the colours are great,fine focus and details
TFS have a good weekend!
Nasos

Hello Peter,

Superb capture of this Amanita muscaria.
Beautiful colours with great details.
Lighting and composition are fantastic.

Buena luz y preciosos colores, aunque con ul ligero desenfoque en el conjunto que desvirtúa el tema. Una lástima. Saludos Peter y buen fin de semana: Josep Ignasi.

Hallo Peter,

mooie opname van deze zwam.
Ja Amonieten herken je aan de kraag wat bij deze nog niet zichtbaar is.
Jammer van de iets overbelichte hoed.
Verder mooie herfstkleuren.

Gert

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3584 W: 143 N: 5669] (18531)
  • [2009-11-07 3:21]

Hi Peter.
I do not know mushrooms at all and they do not widespread in our region. However, I like to watch them so much especially so wonderful as yours. Wonderful reproduction of the shapes, colouration and other features of the fine specimen. Surrounding are so natural and presented very well too. My compliments and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3813 W: 190 N: 11346] (34981)
  • [2009-11-07 3:25]

Hello Peter,
Nice to see you posting a fungal image!
A very nice capture of Amanita muscaria taken from a fine low POV with excellent sharpness, colours and lighting against a pleasing OOF natural BG and set in a fine composition.
The little bonus fly looks like a dung fly but I'm not sure.
Thanks and have a good weekend,
Ivan

hello Peter

an excellent Fungi photo shot with fine low POV at its level,
appropriate framing, fine focus excellent sharpness and details,
beautiful luminosity and colour tones, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 162 N: 949] (2787)
  • [2009-11-07 6:51]

Hello Peter,
This poisonous fungus seems to be plentiful everywhere up north now. It certainly lights up the darkness! A fine sharp capture well composed.
TFS and enjoy the weekend! Ulla

Peter
Wonderful Amanita muscaria!
Great capture,very sharp details, lovely vivid colors.
Congratulation!
Horia

Hello Peter, great macro shot of this colourful mushroom with nice details and composition.
TFS and regards,
Deniz

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1055 W: 0 N: 162] (866)
  • [2009-11-07 10:20]

Hello Peter,
Splendid close-up shot of this mushroom.
Details and composition are perfect.
TFS and G's,
Mehmet

Hello Peter
a nice shot of this beautiful fungi, it's perhaps a common one but it makes always great shots with his bright red hat
i like the low POV, the sharp details and the contrast with the environment
Have a graet Sunday

Hi Peter,
Beautiful pic of this, often photographed and shared fungus specie. Welcome to the fungi club of the site MF... :) Note's good, too, although an i9mportant information's missing (although I know it isn't Your fault): this specie's only living on acid substrate, never on calciferous soil. Ibotenic acid, the main toxic agent (which later metabolizes to muscimol and muscazone) is a rare amino-acid only to be found (in the nature) in this specie and some relatives: Amanita pantherina, A. regalis and A. gemmata.
Thanx for reading all these. :) I add Your great pic to my theme. Have a nice weekend, best regards, László

The colours are perfectly bright and the details sharp, Peter!
An excellent composition!
Cheers!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2573] (9077)
  • [2009-11-10 19:52]

Hi Peter,
this fungi is very vclassical. i like the red head and the composition is so lively.
Use to see them shown in story books and now so real.
I dont think this specie exist in our place.
Nice composition.

regards,
Foozi

Hello Peter
un'Amanita Muscaria ripresa eccellentemente in tutti i suoi colori e dettagli. Il rosso risalta al punto da dare la giusta profonditŕ alla foto e la luce che hai colto rende tutto ancora piů particolare. Ottimo lavoro e note molto interessanti.
Livio

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