2018SEP16: The preceding weeks brought some rain to the western mountains, a good sign to the savvy mushroomer.
Vine maple leaves were beginning to turn; reds and yellows. Sometimes the clash of colors appeared like a still life wildfire burning up the hillsides.
Manic weather dumped a few solid sheets of rain before ebbing into a mixed nebula of moisture. A benevolent window opened up later in the day, seemingly rewarding all those who rode it out.
My first finds were some soggy lobster mushrooms; not impressive, but at least I knew they were out there.
“Missed ’em by a week!”
This was a repeating phrase I heard in my head as I started the hike to another area I knew to be productive in the past.
When I got there I immediately ran into more soggy lobsters poking up out of the duff.
“Told ya, missed em by a week!”
Not far away, at the base of a young Douglas fir, I spotted a large cauliflower mushroom. The outer lobes seemed clean and free of infestation.
Harvesting only the choicest parts of the big mushroom, I thought it best to leave much of the fungal mass remaining to do it’s thing.
After that it seemed my luck took a little upturn and I scared up a few lobsters in prime shape. I also discovered a pair of chantrelles; one yellow and one white.
No big wildlife sightings, but the ruffed grouse were abundant.
More pics: Fungus Debriefing
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LOC: A-1,2
harrybiped 