I spent three days in and around the New Forest foraging for mushrooms and photographing wildlife, combining a growing interest in wild foods with my ongoing focus on small, often overlooked species. The trip offered a chance to explore the forest up close, observing subtle interactions in the undergrowth that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Over the past decade, I have gradually developed skills in identifying edible plants and fungi. This short trip allowed me to dedicate time specifically to foraging, while also carrying my camera to capture any intriguing wildlife or fungi encountered along the way. During the visit, I discovered striking mushrooms such as trooping funnels and pestle puffballs. On the final day, I was fortunate to spot a harvestman feeding on a small cluster of mushrooms. Lying on the forest floor, I captured a focus stack of the scene, which generated a rare and rewarding image, as harvestmen seldom remain still long enough for such detailed work.
The trip produced a small series of images showcasing mushrooms and invertebrates in situ. The harvestman focus stack stood out as a highlight, representing both technical achievement and the serendipity of fieldwork. Beyond the photograph itself, the journey was significant because it combined my interest in foraging with detailed wildlife observation.
**DISCLAMER – I only foraged outside of the areas of Special Significant Scientific Interest (SSSI), where it is allowed to do so. I only collected on a personal level, and partook in no commercial harvesting.
