Flower Fungus

Aseroe rubra (Stinkhorn). When Bella and I went for a late afternoon walk I spied this very small, red fungus growing at the edge of the bush. Just as I was about to photograph it from a different angle, the neighbours' dog rushed up to the fence growling and barking, Bella tried to get through the fence to teach it some manners and the fungus disappeared under a flurry of paws. Stinkhorns are fascinating. Their horrible smell attracts hordes of flies which feast on sticky mucus at the base of the 'flower'. The mucus contains large numbers of spores and when the flies leave they carry the spores away with them.
Thanks to ninniex for hosting Tiny Tuesday.
A slight crop is the only change I made to the photo - the colour is natural.