It has been incredibly humid these days in the bay. Increasing humidity sometimes means rain and oh boy does it pour when it is time. Dampness created by the current weather pattern of rain and shine has caused fungi to bud out to spread their spores. Our favourite so far is the stinkhorn fungus, Phallus indusiatus.

The fruiting body of the stinkhorn fungus.

Ironically, it was not the distinctive smell of carrion the stinkhorn fungus characteristically exudes to attract flies and other carcass-loving insects to help spread its spores that caught our attention. We just happen to chance upon the erection while washing our dive gears nearby.

While not a rare species throughout the globe, it was a pleasure to have these nutrient recyclers literally on our doorstep for a couple of hours, probably living off buried decaying matter.