I think that the mycologist - amateur or professional - has to be perhaps the most dedicated of all the varieties of "natural history" enthusiasts. Fungi must be the most difficult of all the macro-organisms, in the UK at least. But they are fascinating! Their biology is remarkable (and they've taxed the taxonomists for decades), they can be eerily beautiful, and occasionally delicious.
I've never attempted to specialise in any wildlife group (though I admit a particular fondness for Adders), but as an interested novice I not only enjoy seeing, photographing, and trying to identify them; I find that the discussions they prompt (here and on other sites) are amongst the most erudite and informative on any subject.
I also think that a certain amount of optimism - and definitely a sense of humour - are essential requisites.
How to define a mycologist?
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Re: How to define a mycologist?
Hello,
best regards,
Andreas
Hmmm, what about flies, beetles etc .... I think they are even more challenging, when you often be happy to determine to family level ...Amadan wrote:Fungi must be the most difficult of all the macro-organisms, in the UK at least.
not to forget a comperatively high frustration toleranceAmadan wrote:I also think that a certain amount of optimism - and definitely a sense of humour - are essential requisites.

best regards,
Andreas
Re: How to define a mycologist?
I so fully agree with your last statement Andreasmollisia wrote:Hello,
Hmmm, what about flies, beetles etc .... I think they are even more challenging, when you often be happy to determine to family level ...Amadan wrote:Fungi must be the most difficult of all the macro-organisms, in the UK at least.
not to forget a comperatively high frustration toleranceAmadan wrote:I also think that a certain amount of optimism - and definitely a sense of humour - are essential requisites.![]()
best regards,
Andreas

Best Wishes - John
Re: How to define a mycologist?
If you think fungi are tough, try Springtails - Collembola. And there are others equally tough.
One of the unfortunate things is there are so few resources and experts, unlike fungi...............
This might give an idea of them in terms of numbers and variety:
http://ws1.roehampton.ac.uk/collembola/ ... index.html
Cheers
Ken
One of the unfortunate things is there are so few resources and experts, unlike fungi...............
This might give an idea of them in terms of numbers and variety:
http://ws1.roehampton.ac.uk/collembola/ ... index.html
Cheers
Ken