Amazing Close-Up Photos Of Slime Moulds That Look Otherworldly

Barry Webb developed an interest in photography at a young age he tells DeMilked. For most of which time, he has been particularly interested in macro photography. This fascination led to turning an invite to photograph fungi into a professional hobby. Webb explained, "While on a fungus foray in 2019 I was asked to photograph a Stemonitis slime mould which I had never seen or heard of before. This triggered a fascination that soon became an obsession with finding and photographing as many different species as I could". Thus Barry Webb's explorations into the secret world of slime began. Webb expostulated, "I like to produce images that have strong visual appeal. There are many challenges. The first is to find a specimen which is in good condition, and at the right stage of development to create a pleasing image. Once a nice specimen has been found it is important to find the best possible composition with a simple background. I use a photographic technique called focus stacking, where multiple images are taken that are all at slightly different points of focus. This can mean taking between 20 to 100+ individual shots that are then combined in specialist focus stacking software". He further elaborated in an online statement that he aspires to, "Bring the beauty of these usually unseen, otherworldly organisms to the attention of a wider audience.” More info: Instagram | BarryWebb

#1 A single Arcyria denudata fruiting body that was seperate from the crowd behind.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#2 Tiny mites reaching skyward on Physarum psittacinum. The Physarum are only about 1mm tall, which gives an idea as to the size of the mites.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#3 A Tangled clump of Cribraria rufa.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#4 Symmetrical Arcyria Cinerea

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#5 An unusual view of raspberry slime mould, Tubifera ferruginosa, as it was perched on a pointed piece of pine. You rarely get to see the structure that's normally underneath and out of sight.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#6 Lamproderma scintillans showing how they appear silver when wet. Once they have reached this stage of maturity they seem to be able to completely repel water. When the water evaporates they will return to being blue.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#7 Stemonitis with an unusual but attractive curved development.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#8 Pink Stemonitis with a hand!

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#9 Some immature Stemonitis.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#10 Physarum psittacinum has got to be the most spectacular of all the Physarum species.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#11 Metatrichia vesparium starting to mature.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#12 Arcyria denudata.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#13 The ear-pick fungus (Auriscalpium vulgare), found while away on a short trip to the New Forest.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#14 One of three images shortlisted in three categories in this years Close Up Photographer of the year.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#15 Physarum album. Appeared on apple tree branches after exposure to heavy rain.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#16 A pair of Craterium minutum with a suspended water droplet. These two have lost their lids and are ready to disperse their spores.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#17 Dehisced Comatricha nigra fruiting bodies that still retain their beauty even after their colour and spores have gone.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#18 A bunch of Physarum fruiting bodies perched on a Beech Woodwart.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#19 Metatrichia floriformis as it goes through the process of cracking open to release its spores.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#20 Taken during a cold spell - a single Didymium squamulosum wearing an ice crown.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#21 Group of three Didymium squamulosum with the two Lamproderma scintillans perched on top.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb

#22 Tiny developing mycena.

Image Source: Instagram | BarryWebb