![MYSTICAL: Glowing mushrooms known as ghost fungi or Omphalotus Nidiformis can be found in areas of the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park. Picture: KURTIS HICKLING (Hickling Photography) MYSTICAL: Glowing mushrooms known as ghost fungi or Omphalotus Nidiformis can be found in areas of the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park. Picture: KURTIS HICKLING (Hickling Photography)](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/sophie.boyd/15bf3bf1-0172-42b3-831d-6c1d7c9b53cf.jpg/r0_0_5991_3992_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Rain has spurred on the glowing troops of mushrooms hidden deep in the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park helping them multiply and glow brighter than ever.
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Chiltern photographer Kurtis Hickling, who first stumbled upon the glowing ghost fungi eight years ago, said conditions had been favourable over the past couple of years, allowing the mushrooms to thrive.
"Every year seems to be getting better and better," he said.
"Obviously the environment they're growing in is suitable and the rain this year had made them totally flourish.
"You can clearly see it with the naked eye they're glowing so bright at the moment."
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The bioluminescent ghost fungi - Omphalotus Nidiformis - doesn't occur widely across the border region.
"We're pretty privileged in Chiltern to actually have bioluminescent fungi in parts of the area," he said.
![STUNNING: Mr Hickling takes photos of the mushrooms annually and said the current batch is the brightest and best he's seen. Picture: KURTIS HICKLING STUNNING: Mr Hickling takes photos of the mushrooms annually and said the current batch is the brightest and best he's seen. Picture: KURTIS HICKLING](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/sophie.boyd/3efff49c-57f5-4ab0-a2b8-9e4c9ba774f4.jpg/r0_710_6941_4628_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It's something unique and it looks great, a lot of people come out to visit, and as a photographer it's great to be able to share that passion with the members of the community."
The mushrooms' unique glow is formed when oxygen reacts with an enzyme produced by the fungi.
While mainly visible at night the reaction is actually constantly occurring.
![FOCUS: Kurtis Hickling of Hickling Photography in Chiltern sets up the perfect shot of the glowing ghost fungi. Picture: SUPPLIED FOCUS: Kurtis Hickling of Hickling Photography in Chiltern sets up the perfect shot of the glowing ghost fungi. Picture: SUPPLIED](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/sophie.boyd/d73923f9-3dba-42be-bf40-32ba2c2e2c4b.jpg/r0_479_4687_3125_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Previously, Mr Hickling has hosted workshops on how to photograph the fungi, and taken groups out to the site. Due to COVID, this year's workshops were cancelled.
Mr Hickling said those venturing out alone should take care not to step on or harm the mushrooms and remember they are poisonous.