20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A Cortinarius violaceus mushroom dropping spores.

This is a macro shot of the fruiting body of the fungus known as Cortinarius violaceus. At this time it was enjoying a light rain and releasing its tiny rust-colored spores. If you look closely, below the 4th gill in focus from the left of the image, you can see some of the tiny rust-colored spores dropping from the gills of the mushroom.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Asheville, North Carolina, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7
Copyright: © Luke Sheaffer