A "shroom" who knew? I got this informative email from a fellow blogger:

I think I have seen the mushroom in your latest blog post (red one with white spots) in Bavarian Alps: the biologist who was with me told me that it was used in Hindu rituals. I see that this page corroborates what he told me.
Probably, you already knew that this mushroom could cause hallucinations. I guess your friend Neil did give you a smart suggestion:-)
Guru

Thanks, Guru for filling me in. I was incredibly curious as to the type of fungus we had come across and had no idea where to begin in identifying it. Good thing we didn't eat it...or maybe I did and that explains the previous post (da da DAAAA!)