Mushroom and other wild edible foraging

We have golden chanterelles everywhere on our OP place so they get used for everything in the fall. No morels that I've seen so far. Lot's of scary looking things all over the place that I would never trust myself to correctly identify.

We also have a bigass cauliflower mushroom that's come back the last few years. We break off about 1/3 - 1/2 and leave the rest. Crazy good substitute for pasta.

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Thomas Mitchell said:
We have golden chanterelles everywhere on our OP place so they get used for everything in the fall. No morels that I've seen so far. Lot's of scary looking things all over the place that I would never trust myself to correctly identify.

We also have a bigass cauliflower mushroom that's come back the last few years. We break off about 1/3 - 1/2 and leave the rest. Crazy good substitute for pasta.

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So freaky looking. I remember finding one when I was a kid, and wondering what the hell it was. Definitely trying it if I find some around here. Do you know what kind of wood it's growing on?
 
PSA regarding morel look-alikes and safety. The false morel I found with the verpas looked nearly identical to the one in the pic below.

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True morels will be hollow throughout, with the cap attached to the stem (or half way up in the case of half-free morels).

And like all mushrooms, morels must be cooked to be safe to eat. Even then some people might have a sensitivity and get a upset stomach. Eat a bite and wait when trying a new to you mushroom.

Sounds sketchy I know, but they are so delicious and there are actually a lot of great health benefits to eating the right mushrooms.
 
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SilverFly said:
So freaky looking. I remember finding one when I was a kid, and wondering what the hell it was. Definitely trying it if I find some around here. Do you know what kind of wood it's growing on?
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It's at the base of a giant spruce growing out of the ancient stump of what was probably another giant spruce/fir/hemlock. :)
 
This YT vid from a few days ago got my hopes up for true morels in the same cottonwood habitat I found a bunch of early thimble caps (verpa bohemica) earlier this month.

Morel Mushrooms late April

These guys found 3 kinds of true morels under cottonwoods along the Columbia River.

Unfortunately I didn't even find an old, dried-up verpa. Wondering if the CR spot in the vid is a week or so ahead due to the moderate micro climate next to the big river? I'll try again next week.

One cool thing I did find yesterday was a patch of larkspur in full bloom.

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First of maybe only a few spring trips this year due to a busy life schedule. It was great to get out, although it appears things are a week behind schedule (for me).

Found enough in my usual spots to keep me wanting more, but more didn’t really appear. That’s ok, camping was fun and there is at least a trip or two more on the books this spring if all goes as planned.

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Wildflowers were nice to look at.

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Found this empty nest at the base of a tree.

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Had a rainy and lazy Saturday afternoon at camp and relaxed a bit. Made some snacks over the fire.

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Did a lot of walking and not a lot of finding. That’s how it goes sometimes. I’m just happy to have the opportunity to get out and enjoy our public spaces.

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Hope you’ve getting out and enjoying your spring 🍄‍🟫

Dave
 
SteelHeadDave said:
First of maybe only a few spring trips this year due to a busy life schedule. It was great to get out, although it appears things are a week behind schedule (for me).

Found enough in my usual spots to keep me wanting more, but more didn’t really appear. That’s ok, camping was fun and there is at least a trip or two more on the books this spring if all goes as planned.

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Wildflowers were nice to look at.

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Found this empty nest at the base of a tree.

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Had a rainy and lazy Saturday afternoon at camp and relaxed a bit. Made some snacks over the fire.

View attachment 153928

Did a lot of walking and not a lot of finding. That’s how it goes sometimes. I’m just happy to have the opportunity to get out and enjoy our public spaces.

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Hope you’ve getting out and enjoying your spring 🍄‍🟫

Dave
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Nice haul Dave! Are those east slope Cascade, M. Snyderi?

Think morels are probably done around here, except for my pet downspout landscape morel. It's still growing. Curious to see how big it gets before I harvest it for spores.

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SilverFly said:
Nice haul Dave! Are those east slope Cascade, M. Snyderi?

Think morels are probably done around here, except for my pet downspout landscape morel. It's still growing. Curious to see how big it gets before I harvest it for spores.

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That’s correct, east slope Morchella snyderi. Generally few and far between compared to burn morels but I prefer them to conicas for flavor and meatiness. Snyderi are arguably more of a challenge to find which I enjoy.

Yeah, morels should be winding down on the wet side. Still plenty of time for an eastern pick though.
 
Haven’t been out much this spring but managed to get out for a few days after Memorial Day weekend. A little early for spring kings but found a few buttons. Looked at a burn that put out some here and there but nothing too exciting. Still great to get some hiking in and have an excuse to get dirty.
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