Christmas decorations

One day, during the Summer holidays, a group of bored, youthful pyromaniacs thought it would a good idea to set fire to the gorse. They managed to incinerate about a hectare, killing Lord knows how many nesting birds in the process. As yet the gorse hasn't re-sprouted from the roots, although it probably will. Meanwhile the blackened remains are generously bejewelled with bright orange fungi.

The fungus is Tremella mesenterica, the yellow brain fungus, a.k.a. the golden jelly fungus, the yellow trembler, and witches' butter. Although it looks a little like a brain its scientific name translates as "trembling intestine. Often found on dead gorse, Tremella is a parasite of other wood decaying fungi, particularly those of the genus Peniophora.