It was pouring down as we met outside of the lodge at Pine Ridge Park. Around 10 intrepid mushroom hunters were there to search for the elusive morels. Unfortunately, it had been a dry week before hand and the deluge would have been great a few days earlier. From past excursions we know that Black, Half Free, Tulip and Yellow morels can be found at this location. On this day we had some success with just a hand full of Black Morels found. This probably meant that it was too early for the other morels and the rain and steady temperatures will have helped for the coming weeks. As it was raining cats and dogs we did not spend time collecting other species beyond giving them a field ID when found. We did see some trillium, both red and white flowers, and other wild flowers too. Did I mention it was wet?

Species list entered and identified by Richard Jacob.

Fungi:
[icon style=”camera”] Exidia crenata ( Brown jelly roll),
[icon style=”camera”] Morchella angusticeps (Black Morel),
[icon style=”camera”] Neofavolus alveolaris (Hexagonal-pored Polypore),
[icon style=”camera”] Stereum ostrea (False Turkey-tail),
[icon style=”camera”] Trametes versicolor (Turkey-tail),
[icon style=”camera”] Tremella mesenterica (Witches’ Butter)