There's something enchanting about bioluminescence in nature. It feels primeval in that it seems magical, unnatural and spooky; and of course - it is amongst those phenomena which is best appreciated under the cover of darkness, like gazing at stars, listening to the chorus of frogs on a damp monsoon night, or if you are fortunate - watching an aurora!
So when my wife and I found out about the bioluminescent fungi near our place, we were after them and searching. Any excuse to get out and spend some time in the woods - thankfully before stricter COVID-19 regulations came into place - and look for stuff. I took the dog in the day along the path where these fungi were supposed to be, and right off the track, they were hard to miss. At the base of some eucalypts, these whitish brown fungi stood out but one would never guess how much more special they became in the dark. Now that we knew where they were, we just had to get ourselves to the spot once it was dark :-)
So here's a couple of images of the enigmatic Ghost Fungi (Omphalotus nidiformis). It is one amongst 80 or so species of bioluminescent fungi (out of some 70,000 known species of fungi - so not a common phenomenon at all!). I don't know why they (or other species of fungi) glow but apparently the light may attract insects which then help to disperse their spores. Another theory is that the light deters animals (and humans?) from trying to eat it - a good idea unless you want to vomit for a few hours.
Now back to engrossing myself in random things at home during these bizarre times. Stay safe!