A little abstract fungus something on a warm sunny day in New England.
Ganoderma tsugae, along with G. lucidum, are herbal mushrooms used for a variety of applications. I am not an herbalist or a mycologist so that’s all I have to say on the subject. Since I don’t forage it is of no consequence to me and I never suggest anyone should eat anything based on something I post here.
Here’s the whole fungus…one of several digesting the hemlock that hosts them.
As you can see by the “stump” above the mushroom, some forager is at home possibly relaxing with some reishi tea.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Without your words, the first picture could have passed for colorful mineralized rock.
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I’d have thought the edge of a geothermal pool.
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Lava, here.
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So far, I think Lava is my favorite and wish I had titled it that way.
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I see you’re still humming “Rotorua on My Mind.”
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Another good one.
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That would work also.
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Amazingly rich colour!
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The color was the subject and it just happens to be a mushroom. 🙂
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As you know, I share your fondness for fungi, and this is a real treat. Love your macro selection!
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Thanks, Gary. I’ve been photographing this specific genus for years and never thought until now to make one an abstract.
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Now that I’ve looked again, a smelter comes to mind. It’s just so vibrant — almost threateningly so. I suppose that’s because it evokes various kinds of uncontrolled fire. I’m not sure I could bring myself to eat or drink something that’s made from it.
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Maybe a tea bag wouldn’t carry the same baggage. I am glad it offers so many interpretations and should I ever use it for anything else I may just not title it at all…just give it a fancy number so it seems more arty. 🙂
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That top images looks like a shot from a NASA probe flying over an alien world.
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Another good one. So many possibilities for this and all I thought of was a mushroom s’more. 🙂
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I thought of lava or a smelter myself. Regardless, beautiful.
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Lava is doing it for me, I think.
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Thanks!
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You prompted me to look up the tea, which I’ve seen for umpteen years in markets but never really thought about. OK, I won’t do anything based on your post but I might be tempted in the future. I love the abstract – that was a good idea – and thanks for including the context photo.
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If it is a commercial offering then I might try it, but aside from not foraging I am a bit paranoid about mushrooms in the wild and ID’s although this is hard to mistake. Just the same…. 🙂
I am always looking for something different having repeatedly shot the same subjects but this never occurred to me until now. Guess it’s never too late. 🙂
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That’s probably a healthy kind of paranoia to have. It is ABSOLUTELY not too late. Think of all the closeup abstracts you might find….
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I’m with Lynn (bluebrightly) on this. I love the abstract, too, and appreciate seeing where it came from. Good title, too.
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Thank you, Linda. I’ve seen these many times but only just got the idea to make it an abstract. Glad that you like it. 🙂
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Ganoderma is a herb and can be used for medicinal purposes
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Thanks for commenting. I did mention that above.
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