Panus strigellus mushrooms

In a corner of the forest, amidst a pile of decaying wood, I discovered two beautiful mushrooms growing on a fallen tree. They were growing in close proximity, their bases touching. Finding mushrooms like this during the current dry summer—after a long spell without rain—felt truly extraordinary, as spotting fungi is usually quite difficult in this season. Seeing them perched neatly on the log felt like discovering a long-sought treasure. They were Panus strigellus, a lovely species belonging to the Polyporaceae family.

The mushrooms I found were tiny, roughly the size of an adult's little finger. They boasted a delightful, creamy-brown hue that contrasted sharply with the tree trunk upon which they grew. Their caps were covered in a dense, fine fuzz, lending them an air of elegance. The undersides featured neatly arranged, fan-like ridges. Only the two of them were there; I searched the surrounding area but could not find any other specimens. They were special, capable of thriving even in the dry season.