A small pope reigns over the poorest and purest water in the country. Not baptismal water admittedly, but seepage water, coming from underground sources and stripped of most nutrients. In the shade where even algae have little chance, that is where you will find the bog beacon.
That is, if you look carefully, because it is incredibly small. Only once you have spotted one do you realise that it is actually full of them, you know? But in any case, it is one of the few mushrooms that actually grows in streams. They digest the underwater rotting leaves there.
Because the seepage water comes from underground, it also has a fairly constant temperature. As a spring species, the bog beacon always appears at the same times because of this. Severe or mild winters have little influence on this.
What does have an influence is the state of the groundwater table. The desiccation caused by the climate and human activities make the bog beacon rather rare. You only find it in very specific places.
Maarten is a passionate hobby photographer with an eye for the world of the small. On his weekly blog www.natuurvertelsels he brings a new short story with facts and pictures about nature right in front of your nose every Sunday. He has already won numerous photo competitions with his images.. Read more…