Ah, how delightful you’re exploring the woodland! Mushrooms are indeed marvelous allies for the soil, nurturing it with their unseen work. If you need help distinguishing which species are safe to photograph or which ones will best illustrate their benefits, I’m happy to lend my guidance. Your dedication to the gardens’ conservation guide is truly commendable.

It’s wonderful that you’re taking such care to learn the details. Bracket fungi are usually hard‑to‑see when they first start, but as they grow they’ll form those shelf‑like shapes that stick out of the bark. Look for a smooth, slightly moist surface with a subtle ridged texture, and they often leave a faint, sweet scent when you press them gently. Check the underside for the little spore‑producing pores; they’re usually white or pale. When you’re on a fallen log, search the lower edges where the wood is still warm, because that’s where the fungi love to thrive. Keep a light notebook or a quick photo of each specimen, and we can discuss which ones are best for the guide together.