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Russula sp.
just a lil' shroom on a hillside!
No problem! That's one of the great things about the Project, that we all collectively learn together. And that third shot is unbelievable! Nicely depicts the four or so mushrooms at various stages of developement and decay, and nature seems to be highlighting what seems to be the youngest and most unaffected by the elements.
Thank you for the comment, Ivan! It seems to fit much of those categories. I added another shot for you to see the other two that were around it, but as you can see, even the sunlight was begging me to take of picture of the original one. I am always happy to learn something new about the natural world!
What an interesting and perfect location for it to grow! Nice find.
My first guess would be that it belongs to the genus of Russula, that are identified due to (usually) brightly-colored and smooth caps, an absence of a ring on the stalk and a volva at the base of the stem, and a moderate size -- not too large and not too small. From my experience, identification of red-capped Russulas is a difficult task, even with a high-powered microscope, a mastery of colors (to determine exactly what color a spore print is; is it dull red or bright maroon?), and other such extreme measures such as measuring how near the apex (highest -- usually central -- point on the mushroom cap) the skin can peel. Even the mycological community argues on where the sickener, R. emetica, is truly found. Unless you took some detailed notes on this specimen, identification will be difficult. But to simply photograph a curious mushroom on a hill, that's a beauty unto itself. :)