Slime mould., Bernard Spragg Photo
Slime mold or slime mould is a broad term describing some organisms that use spores to reproduce. Slime molds were formerly classified as fungi but are no longer considered part of this kingdom.. Although not r... More
Armillaria novae-zelandiae, Bernard Spragg Photo
Has a cap which is slimy when fresh. .Common name: Honey Mushroom.Found: Native and introduced hardwoods and softwoods.Substrate: Wood.Spore: WhiteHeight: 100 mm.Width: 60 mm.Season: Autumn.Edible: Unknown
Yellow slime mold., Bernard Spragg Photo
Slime mold or slime mould is a broad term describing some organisms that use spores to reproduce. Slime molds were formerly classified as fungi but are no longer considered part of this kingdom.Although not rel... More
Cortinarius sanguineus, Bernard Spragg Photo
The blood-red colour of the cap gills and stem of this beautiful mushroom fully justify the common name of this webcap. It is readily distinguished from the closely-related Cortinarius semisanguineus (the speci... More
Redlead Roundhead (Leratiomyces ceres,)
Leratiomyces ceres, commonly known as the Redlead Roundhead, is mushroom which has a bright red to orange cap and dark purple-brown spore depositSpecies: Leratiomyces ceres..Found throughout the year after rain... More
Brown Teal duck. New Zealand. Bernard Spragg photography
The BrownTeal (Anas chlorotis), or pateke, is a small dabbling duck species endemic to New Zealand distributed throughout the lowland freshwater wetlands and, historically, the Chatham Islands. The brown teal’s... More
Red crowned Kakariki (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)
genus Cyanoramphus, family Psittacidae.The Kakariki are members of the parrot family which are mainly tropical birds notable for their colourful plumage. There are two main species, the yellow and red-crown. Th... More
Fern frond., Bernard Spragg Photo
Ferns are typically found in moist, forested areas because they require lots of water. Ferns are abundant in all damp situations in New Zealand forests, forming the undergrowth beneath a dense canopy of evergre... More
Red panda, Bernard Spragg Photo
The red panda, also called lesser panda and red cat-bear, is a small arboreal mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China
Yellow mellow., Bernard Spragg Photo
SONY DSC Public domain scan of print / book page depicting birds, ornithology, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
White heron,(Egretta alba modesta)
The white heron or kotuku is well-loved by the New Zealand people, but it is rarely seen except by those who specifically seek it out. Its sole New Zealand breeding site near Okarito Lagoon in Westland is well-... More
New Zealand fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa)
The fantail is one of the few native bird species in New Zealand that has been able to adapt to an environment greatly altered by humans. Originally a bird of open native forests and scrub, it is now also found... More
Lycoperdon pyriforme,(Pear shaped puffball)
Lycoperdon pyriforme, commonly known as the pear-shaped puffball or stump puffball, is a saprobic fungus present throughout much of the world.
Pholiota subflammans., Bernard Spragg Photo
Pholiota flammans, commonly known as the yellow pholiota, the flaming Pholiota, or the flame scalecap, is a basidiomycete agaric mushroom of the genus Pholiota. Its fruit body is golden-yellow in color througho... More
King Bolete (Boletus edulis). Bernard Spragg photography
Boletus edulis, known as the Cep, Porcino or Penny-bun Bolete, is a most sought-after edible bolete. It is frequently found at the edges of clearings in broad-leaved and coniferous forests.
Armillaria. ?, Bernard Spragg Photo
Honey fungus, or Armillaria is a genus of parasitic fungi that live on trees and woody shrubs. It includes about 10 species formerly lumped together as A. mellea. Armillarias are long lived and form some of the... More
Hypholoma (Genus), Bernard Spragg Photo
Fungi of the genus Hypholoma are quite well known due to the commonness of sulphur tuft on stumps in temperate woodlands.
Coprinellus micaceus, Bernard Spragg Photo
Coprinellus micaceus is a common species of fungus in the family Psathyrellaceae with a cosmopolitan distribution. The fruit bodies of the saprobe typically grow in clusters on or near rotting hardwood tree stu... More
White heron,(Egretta alba modesta)
A rare bird.Rare in New Zealand, with a population of just 100–120 birds, the elegant white heron or kōtuku (Ardea modesta) is nevertheless common in India, Japan, China and Australia, where it is known as the ... More
Wolf's milk slime. (Lycogala epidendrum,)
Wolf's milk slime is a slime mould with a small (diameter to 1.5 cm) ball- or cushion-shaped fruiting body. It varies greatly in colour depending on age, from the greyish-pink colour of the immature specimens ... More
Hypholoma brunneum., Bernard Spragg Photo
Hypholoma brunneum is a wood-rotting fungus grows on decaying wood usually in dense clumps, possibly only in Australia-NZ. It has a brown to dark brown cap, to 60 mm, with whitish scales towards the margin. The... More
Panaeolus sphinctrinus., Bernard Spragg Photo
FAMILY: Coprinaceae.GENUS: Panaeolus.SPECIES: Sphinctrinus.COMMON NAMES: Ink Caps, Hoop-Petticoat, Petticoat Mottlegill, Warai-take (Japanese, ‘laughing mushroom’), Hsiao Ch’un (Chinese, ‘laughing mushroom’)..P... More
Slime mould., Bernard Spragg Photo
Are Slime Moulds really Fungi?..No, slime moulds are not fungi. They are members of the Kingdom Protozoa. They used to be included among the fungi because people found their dry fruiting structures in the woods... More
Green Sea Turtle., Bernard Spragg Photo
Green turtles are found throughout the world, occurring primarily in tropical, and to a lesser extent, subtropical waters. The Hawaiian green turtle is genetically distinct from the other green sea turtle popul... More
A couple of strays.. Bernard Spragg photography
Stray cats can be a problem for the whole community, especially if they're not spayed or neutered.
Black Swan., Bernard Spragg Photo
The black swan is a large waterbird, a species of swan, which breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia. The species was hunted to extinction in New Zealand, but later reintroduced.
Boletus edulis., Bernard Spragg Photo
Boletus edulis, commonly known as the porcini (as well as penny bun, porcino or cep), is a basidiomycete fungus, and the type species of the genus Boletus. Widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere across E... More
Giraffe, Bernard Spragg Photo. Bernard Spragg photography
Why do so many people look up to giraffes—besides the obvious reason? The long and short of it is that they are a wonderful example of nature’s creativity. -
White faced heron.(Ardea novaehollandiae)
The white-faced heron is New Zealand's most common heron, despite being a relatively new arrival to this country. It is a tall, elegant, blue-grey bird that can be seen stalking its prey in almost any aquatic h... More
Tuatara., Bernard Spragg Photo. Bernard Spragg photography
New Zealand’s endemic tuatara is a very unusual animal. They are the only living representative of a group of reptiles known as Rhynchocephalia (sometimes known in the past as Sphenodontia) that first appeared ... More
Fly Agaric., Bernard Spragg Photo
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, is a mushroom and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita
Sumatran Tiger, Bernard Spragg Photo
Today, the last of Indonesia’s tigers—now less than 400—are holding on for survival in the remaining patches of forests on the island of Sumatra. Accelerating deforestation and rampant poaching mean this noble ... More
Maltby Fanfare. (3), Bernard Spragg Photo
Flowers collection Public domain scan of print / book page depicting birds, ornithology, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Pleurotus ostreatus,, Bernard Spragg Photo
Pleurotus ostreatus is easily recognized by the way it grows on wood in shelf-like clusters; its relatively large size; its whitish gills that run down a stubby, nearly-absent stem; and its whitish to lilac spore print.
Stinkhorn (Phallaceae), Bernard Spragg Photo
The fruiting body of a stinkhorn fungus emerges from the ground as an egg-like structure. It then splits open, revealing a stalk with a number of coloured arms. . Stinkhorn fungi produce a smelly mucus mass ful... More
Redlead Roundheads (Stropharia aurantiaca)
Leratiomyces ceres, commonly known as the Redlead Roundhead, is mushroom which has a bright red to orange cap and dark purple-brown spore deposit. It is usually found growing gregariously on wood chips and is o... More
The yellow-eyed penguin. NZ. Bernard Spragg photography
The yellow-eyed penguin is one of the few penguin species found north of the Antarctic Ocean, and as it's name suggests, this species of penguin is easily idenitfied by it's yellow coloured eyes and bright yell... More
A pair of waxeyes.. Bernard Spragg photography
The beauty of having a F2.8 600mm lens. Lumix Fz200..SILVEREYE.Also known as wax-eye or white-eye, Zosterops lateralis belongs to the widespread family Zosteropidae. New Zealand possesses one species which is a... More
Gilled mushroom on wood.Cortinarius sp.
Gill fungi have gills under their caps -- the thin, vertical items beneath the reddish mushroom cap shown at the left. In most side views of mushroom caps you can't see the gills as nicely as in the photo, but... More
Northland Green Gecko.NZ, Bernard Spragg Photo
The Northland Green Gecko is found only in the Northland region of New Zealand, north of Whangaroa. It is vivid green, with gray or gold highlights, on either side - along the dorsal edges. Males have a blue ba... More
Green sea turtle., Bernard Spragg Photo
The green turtle is a large, weighty sea turtle with a wide, smooth carapace, or shell. It inhabits tropical and subtropical coastal waters around the world and has been observed clambering onto land to sunbath... More
A pair of Variable oystercatchers.
The variable oystercatcher is a familiar stocky coastal bird with a long, bright orange bill, found around much of New Zealand. They are often seen in pairs probing busily for shellfish along beaches or in estu... More
Blue and Gold Macaw.. Bernard Spragg photography
The Blue-and-yellow Macaw, also known as the Blue-and-gold Macaw, is a large South American parrot with blue top parts and yellow under parts. It is a member of the large group of Neotropical parrots known as macaws
Armillaria mellea,, Bernard Spragg Photo
The honeylike color of this white-spored gilled mushroom inspired its common name...This mushroom is very abundant. Variable in appearance, returning each year in many shapes and colors, what we call Armillaria... More
Indian Ringneck parrot. (Psittacula krameri),
The rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), also known as the ring-necked parakeet, is a gregarious tropical Afro-Asian parakeet species that has an extremely large range...The rose-ringed parakeet is sexual... More
Coprinus Lagopus, Bernard Spragg Photo
Coprinopsis lagopus is a species of fungus in the Psathyrellaceae family.
Orange pore fungus (Favolaschia calocera,
Public domain free photos Public domain photograph of coral reef, underwater life, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jelly Fungi. Tremella lutescens
Jelly fungi are a paraphyletic group of several heterobasidiomycete fungal orders from different classes of the subphylum Agaricomycotina: Tremellales, Dacrymycetales, Auriculariales and Sebacinales
Entoloma hochstetteri, Bernard Spragg Photo
This Sky Blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri) is a woodland-dwelling fungus found in western parts of New Zealand’s North and South Islands as well as occasionally in India...It is found in New Zealand and Ind... More
Mycena, Bernard Spragg Photo. Bernard Spragg photography
Mycena is a large genus of small saprotrophic mushrooms that are rarely more than a few centimeters in width. They are characterized by a white spore print, a small conical or bell-shaped cap, and a thin fragile stem.
Coprinellus micaceus., Bernard Spragg Photo
Coprinellus micaceus is a common species of fungus in the family Psathyrellaceae with a cosmopolitan distribution. The fruit bodies of the saprobe typically grow in clusters on or near rotting hardwood tree stu... More
Orange Pore Fungus (Favolaschia calocera)
Grows on WOOD.. .Common Name: Orange pore Fungus. .Fruit-body: This little fungus is very bright orange in colour. It is fan shaped like a ping pong bat, with a short stem (up to 20 mm long), attached to the si... More
Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), Bernard Spragg Photo
Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) were self introduced in the 1800s and now have a wide distribution throughout New Zealand. They have made the forest their home and are now among the most common bird in suburbia... More
Physarum polycephalum. (Slime mound)
Physarum polycephalum, literally the "many-headed slime", is a slime mold that inhabits shady, cool, moist areas, such as decaying leaves and logs. Like slime molds in general, it is sensitive to light; in part... More
Silvereyes.NZ, Bernard Spragg Photo
The silvereye or wax-eye (Zosterops lateralis) is a very small omnivorous passerine bird of the south-west pacific. In Australia and New Zealand its common name is sometimes shortened to white-eye, but this nam... More
Waxeye or Silvereye.NZ, Bernard Spragg Photo
The silvereye – also known as the wax-eye, or sometimes white eye – is a small and friendly olive green forest bird with white rings around its eyes..Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) were self introduced in the ... More
Crepidotus versutus, Bernard Spragg Photo
Crepidotus versutus, commonly known as the evasive agaric, is a species of fungi in the family Crepidotaceae. It is saprobic on wood, like other Crepidotus species, but it can also decompose herbaceous forest litter.
Gymnopilus., Bernard Spragg Photo
This impressive mushroom is found growing in dense clusters on stumps and logs of both hardwoods and conifers--and a number of associated species names are found growing in a dense cluster, as well. These speci... More
Fantail NZ, Bernard Spragg Photo
Known for its friendly ‘cheet cheet’ call and energetic flying antics, the aptly named fantail is one of the most common and widely distributed native birds on the New Zealand mainland...It is easily recognized... More
Geastrum. Earth stars, Bernard Spragg Photo
Geastrum saccatum is the earthstar most commonly featured in field guides--probably because it is widely distributed and common. It is a small but beautiful mushroom that features a round spore case sitting ato... More
Coprinus Sp, Bernard Spragg Photo
Coprinus is a small genus of mushroom-forming fungi consisting of Coprinus comatus (the shaggy mane) and several of its close relatives.
Pied Stilt.(Himantopus himantopus)
The pied stilt is a dainty wading bird with, as its name suggests, black-and-white coloration and very long legs. It is common at wetlands and coastal areas throughout New Zealand and may be seen feeding alongs... More
Bird nest fungi., Bernard Spragg Photo
Bird's nest fungi are a small group of saprophytic fungi that have a unique way of reproducing. .As their common name suggests they look like small bird's nests complete with eggs. In fact, the nest is a splash... More
Sulphur tufts (hypholema fasciculare)
This fungus is poisonous..Sulphur Tuft is a pale to bright sulphur yellow mushroom with a orange to brown coloured tip growing in groups or "tufts" on rotting wood in forests and woodlands to a height of about ... More
Kereru. NZ Wood Pigeon.. Bernard Spragg photography
The kererū is a large bird with irridescent green and bronze feathers on its head and a smart white vest. The noisy beat of its wings is a distinctive sound in our forests...New Zealand status: Endemic.Conserva... More
Redlead Roundhead,, Bernard Spragg Photo
Leratiomyces ceres, commonly known as the Redlead Roundhead, is mushroom which has a bright red to orange cap and dark purple-brown spore deposit.
Bright eyes, Bernard Spragg Photo
Are Cats Nearsighted or Farsighted?..Cat?s and human?s eyes are made up similarly. A cat?s pupils contract to bring in more or less light. Also, the eyes of a cat and human contain rods and cones. However, cats... More
Olive honeycap Armillaria novaezealandae.
Armillaria novae-zelandiae is a species of mushroom in the Physalacriaceae family. This plant pathogen species is one of three Armillaria species that have been identified in New Zealand
Pleurotus ostreatus, the oyster mushroom
Pleurotus ostreatus, the oyster mushroom, is a common edible mushroom. It was first cultivated in Germany as a subsistence measure during World War I and is now grown commercially around the world for food.
Gymnopilus. junonius., Bernard Spragg Photo
Gymnopilus junonius is a species of mushroom in the family Cortinariaceae. Commonly known as Laughing Gym, Laughing Cap, Laughing Jim, or the Spectacular Rustgill, this large orange mushroom is typically found ... More
Lichen on tree., Bernard Spragg Photo
Algae, lichens and moss are non-parasitic plant-like organisms that colonise bark, rock and other hard surfaces. Lichens and algae are often mistaken for a fungal disease but, fortunately, they do not harm plan... More
Orange Peel Fungus, Bernard Spragg Photo
Aleuria aurantia.The Orange Peel Fungus is a widespread ascomycete fungus in the order Pezizales. The brilliant orange, cup-shaped ascocarps often resemble orange peels strewn on the ground, giving this species... More
Coral Fungi (Clavaniaceae), Bernard Spragg Photo
Just like the name suggests, the coral mushrooms typically look like coral, although some might be better described as club-shaped or finger-like. Some are edible and some are not.
Spotted shag.NZ (Stictocarbo punctatus)
During breeding the spotted shag looks regal in its patterned cloak of plumage, the muted browns and greys a departure from the stark black and white of many shags. It has a generous double crest, the eye ring ... More
Pukeko. (Porphyrio porphyrio)., Bernard Spragg Photo
What is a Pukeko?..The Pukeko, or New Zealand Swamp Hen is a member of the rail family, and is similar to other species found all over the world. It is one of the few New Zealand native birds to have flourished... More
Red-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)
genus Cyanoramphus, family Psittacidae.Both birds assist with the feeding of the young.. They feed on leaves, buds, flowers, shoots, seeds, fruit, berries, nuts and other parts of plants.. They also eat i... More
Male Chaff Finch.(Fringilla coelebs)
The common chaffinch, usually known simply as the chaffinch, is a common and widespread small passerine bird in the finch family. The male is brightly coloured with a blue-grey cap and rust-red underparts. .Sci... More
Monarch Butterfly on Cosmos. Bernard Spragg photography
The Monarch butterfly is a milkweed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It may be the best known of all North American butterflies
Blue duck. Whio. ( (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)
The blue duck or whio is an iconic species of clear fast-flowing rivers, now mostly confined to high altitude segments of rivers in North and South Island mountain regions. Nowhere common, it lives at low densi... More
Antrodiella zonata, Bernard Spragg Photo
Antrodiella zonata is a very common fungus (30mm) found growing in tiers of brackets on rotting native and introduced hardwoods and fallen branches through out the year..It has a variable form. Each bracket is ... More
PUKEKO (Porphyrio porphyrio)., Bernard Spragg Photo
Also known as the swamp hen, this is the most commonly encountered of the five living species of the rail family native to New Zealand, the others being the closely related takahe or Notornis, weka, banded rail... More
Honey Mushroom (Armillaria novae-zelandiae)
Has a cap which is slimy when fresh. .Common name: Honey Mushroom.Found: Native and introduced hardwoods and softwoods.Substrate: Wood.Spore: WhiteHeight: 100 mm.Width: 60 mm.Season: Autumn.Edible: Unknown
Macrolepiota clelandii., Bernard Spragg Photo
Macrolepiota clelandii, commonly known as the slender parasol or graceful parasol, is a species of mushroom-forming fungus in the family Lepiotaceae
White faced Heron., Bernard Spragg Photo
Self introduced from Australia the white-faced Heron is now the most common heron, having benefited from the widespread conversion of forest to farmland...This slim bluish-grey heron has a white face, chin and ... More
Hypholoma fasciculare, (Sulphur tuft,)
Hypholoma fasciculare, commonly known as the sulphur tuft, sulfur tuft or clustered woodlover, is a common woodland mushroom, often in evidence when hardly any other mushrooms are to be found. This saprophagic ... More
Black Shag NZ., Bernard Spragg Photo
One-third of the world’s shag species are found in New Zealand, where they are icons of lake and coastal landscapes. The diverse shorelines and rich marine and freshwater resources offer many habitats for these... More
Gymnopilus., Bernard Spragg Photo
This impressive mushroom is found growing in dense clusters on stumps and logs of both hardwoods and conifers--and a number of associated species names are found growing in a dense cluster, as well. These speci... More
Fairy Inkcap, Coprinellus disseminatus,
The Fairy Inkcap, Coprinellus disseminatus, rarely ventures forth alone or even with just a few friends; more often it forms dense masses swarming over rotting tree stumps and roots...These gregarious little fu... More
Pied Shag., Bernard Spragg Photo
The Australian Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius, also known as the Pied Cormorant or Pied Shag, is a medium-sized member of the cormorant family. It is found around the coasts of Australasia
Russula., Bernard Spragg Photo. Bernard Spragg photography
Around 750 worldwide species of mycorrhizal mushrooms compose the genus Russula. They are typically common, fairly large, and brightly colored – making them one of the most recognizable genera among mycologists... More
Hypholoma fasciculare., Bernard Spragg Photo
This widely distributed mushroom is fairly common, and is often found fruiting in large, striking clusters on the wood of conifers or hardwoods. When fresh, the clustered caps are bright yellow to greenish yell... More
Clathrus archeri. Stink horn. Bernard Spragg photography
Where am I?.. ..Clathrus archeri (devil's fingers)..Clathrus archeri, also known as devil's fingers, has a gelatinous egg stage from which the fruitbody arises, its four to eight reddish arms each coated with ... More
Antrodiella zonata., Bernard Spragg Photo
Forms as ether a small bracket on the sides of a log or a flat sheet when under side of log. .Common name: None.Found: Native forests.Substrate: On wood.Spore: WhiteHeight: 15 mm.Width: 30 mm.Season: Early summ... More
Clathrus colomats., Bernard Spragg Photo
Fungi collection
Geastrum saccatum. (earth star)
Geastrum saccatum, commonly known as the rounded earthstar, is a species of mushroom belonging to the Geastrum genus. It has a worldwide distribution and is found growing on rotting wood..Geastrum saccatum is a... More
Pied Shag. NZ. (Phalacrocorax varius,)
The pied shag is found exclusively in Australia and New Zealand, wintering along the whole coast and inland in both countries.Shags are swift underwater swimmers, with a sharp hooked beak to help them catch fis... More
Coprinellus micaceus., Bernard Spragg Photo
Has a creamy or fawn cap with glistening particles over the surface on young fruit bodies. These disappear or wash off with age. .Common name: Mica ink-cap, Glistening ink-cap.Found: Grasslands.Substrate: Berri... More
Campanella species., Bernard Spragg Photo
Campanella species 1..These are thin and delicate, maybe 1cm diameter. They are a pale blue-grey colour and were found on rotten twigs.
Spotted shag. (Stictocarbo punctatus)
The spotted shag/parekareka is a medium-sized, grey-blue marine shag with a long, slender bill and yellow-orange feet. Adult breeding birds have small black spots on their back and wings...Spotted shags/parekar... More