Wild mushrooms....

Hunting Wild Edible Mushrooms. I've always been fascinated by mushrooms and fungi. I have grown gourmet mushrooms in our house like Chestnut, Lions Mane and Shitake to name a few but have spent little time out in the woods looking for edible wild mushrooms. When we visiting northern California we spent a day exploring the Jackson demonstration forest along the northern coastline searching for edible mushrooms. We found an area where they had cut down some tres for fire control and chipped them up and scattered the debris around. We search the about 100'x 100' foot area and found at least 20 types of mushroom and fungi (see Video) it was amazing. We found a few edible mushrooms that we could identify including black trumpets and chanterelles. We also found many poisonous mushrooms.

We had a great time mushroom hunting in California. It was a beautiful and peaceful experience, and we learned a lot about mushroom hunting from a guide book and a mushroom app that we used on our phone.. One of my favorite memories from the trip was when we found a large patch of chanterelles. We were so excited! The chanterelles were so flavorful, and they cooked up perfectly latter that night.

Another highlight of the trip was when we saw a beautiful white tail doe. We were walking through the forest when we heard a noise. We stopped and looked up, and we saw her standing in the middle of the path. She was a beautiful animal, and we were lucky to see her. The forests and coastlines of California are truly beautiful, and I'm so grateful that we were able to experience them.

These forests are home to a wide variety of fungi, from the familiar mushrooms that pop up in the fall to the more obscure species that live in the soil or on trees. These fungi play an important role in the forest ecosystem, breaking down dead organic matter and recycling nutrients. They also provide food for animals, such as deer, squirrels, and birds. There are over 100,000 species of fungi in the world, and about 10,000 of them are found in North America. Some of the most common forest mushrooms include:

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Chanterelles: These edible mushrooms have a distinctive orange color and a fruity flavor.

• Morels: These prized mushrooms have a honeycomb-like appearance and a nutty flavor.

• Chicken of the woods: This edible mushroom is found on dead or dying trees. It has a white, flaky flesh that tastes like chicken.

• Hen of the woods: This edible mushroom is also found on dead or dying trees. It has a brown, feathery appearance.

• these are some of the easiest to identify.

In addition to these edible mushrooms, there are also many poisonous mushrooms that grow in forests. It is important to be able to identify edible and poisonous mushrooms before you eat them. A good field guide can help you with this as well as a lot of research.Do not take any chances by guessing! Fungi are not just found on the ground. They also live in the soil and on trees. In the soil, fungi help to break down organic matter, such as leaves and twigs. This process releases nutrients that can be used by plants. Fungi also help to prevent soil erosion. On trees, fungi can cause diseases. However, they can also be beneficial. For example, some fungi help trees to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Fungi are an important part of the forest ecosystem. They play a role in decomposition, nutrient cycling, and plant health. Without fungi, forests would not be as healthy or productive. If you are interested in learning more about forest mushrooms and fungi, there are many resources available. You can find field guides, websites, and even classes that can teach you about these fascinating organisms.The safest way is to find edible ones is to find someone who knows mushrooms to go with you.