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Foxfire
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: John Denk (jpdenk)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 234 W: 1 N: 356]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (965) |
| Genre: Fungi |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2004-07-11 |
| Categories: Fungi |
| Camera: Nikon D70, Nikkor 18-70mm |
| Exposure: f/4.5, 22 seconds |
| Details: Tripod: Yes |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-02-29 8:04 |
| Viewed: 480 |
| Points: 10 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Here's a composite photo that is more interesting than pretty. The top shows a chunk of wood photographed using normal flash, and the bottom half shows the same chunk of wood photographed with the lights out, 20-second exposure, showing that it was glowing quite brightly. The camera was locked down on a tripod, so the view is exactly the same in both photos.
This phenomenon is what is called Foxfire. It's caused by the presence of specific fungal mycelium, in this case, probably a species of Armillaria mushroom. Some Armillarias are known for having bioluminescent mycelium which causes wood that it has grown on or in to glow.
This was discovered by some friends of mine who were removing a dead tree stump from their yard. They worked into the late evening to finish the job, and after dark, they realized that the wood was glowing, so they called me and I got this specimen. It remained luminescent for almost a week.
The substance that glows greenish is called luciferin and is reportedly the same thing that makes Lightning Bugs glow. You can read more about Foxfire at http://iubio.bio.indiana.edu/cgi-bin/ifetch?netnews+382096931382702+F . |
mariki, boreocypriensis, eqshannon, K9madtex has marked this note useful
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Well, this is truly a fascinating post. I've wondered what "foxfire" was. Thank you for sharing!
Evelynn : )
Hi John,
This is absolutely interestig capture friend with nice presentation. Well done.
TFS.
Cheers,
Bayram
I have seen some demonstrations of this at rock shows...very cool and a neat idea! Thanks for sharing!
Bob
- mariki
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 897 W: 65 N: 1764]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(7577) - [2008-03-01 0:45]
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Hello John,
Very instructive and interesting pictures. Good composition. Good sharpness and lighting.
Thanks for sharing,
Cheers,
Mariki
I have seen this at home in East Texas prior to being really into photography. Since I have been into photography I have been trying to keep an eye out for it. I was thinking I would do something similar to what you have done here. Great job and great note.
