Gymnopilus Emerging

Found a clump of Gymnopilus junonius just breaking through the soil. In the location they're growing I should have little difficulty in observing their life cycle. They seem to be quite a common species around the area although I've only observed them growing at the base of Spotted Gum~ Eucalyptus maculata.

Young Gymnopilus junonius

And mature examples

The colour of these fungi is quite intense and you're hardly likely to miss their presence if they happen to be nearby.