Dryad's saddle rides again

 For the fourth time in a little over two years this old sycamore stump has produced a magnificent display of dryad's saddle Cerioporus squamosus bracket fungi. The previous crop appeared this spring, in April.

It's likely that the fungus was the original cause of death for the mature tree, which must have been felled as a safety precaution since it was growing close to a road.  The fungus has been digesting its remains every since.

In classical Greek mythology 'Dryades were nymphs that presided over the woods. Oblations of milk, oil, and honey were offered to them, and sometimes the votaries would sacrifice a goat. They were not generally considered immortal, but as genii, whose lives were terminated with the death of the tree over which they were supposed to preside.' J. Lempriere. A Classical Dictionary: containing a copious account of all the proper names mentioned in ancient authors. Originally published in 1788.

The underside of the cap, with thousands of tiny pores releasing millions of spores.

Exquisite pattern of scales on the cap of a bracket.