Counting Down

The tried and true method of finding wild mushrooms in the forest following a good soaking rain system of an inch or more did not pan out during the July blast of moisture, the forest did not respond. One inch was simply not enough to trigger the mycelium structure growing underground. I could not find a single spore of any variety of fungus while traipsing through the woods.

Since the heavy rains we had last weekend, I have been waiting patiently or rather not so patiently, for the ten day mark. My angst has been heightened because of a trip to the local grocery store a couple of days ago.

I spotted a handful of Chanterelle mushrooms in the produce aisle along with a three weathered lobster mushrooms.

The fungi were pitiful looking, all dried out and looking about a week old.

When I saw the price sticker I nearly had a conniption fit right there in the produce section. $39.99 a pound for both the Chanterelle and Lobster mushrooms!

Since that spotting, I have taken a meander through the woods daily looking for any indication that I may soon be able to make a successful forage (I already have steaks thawing in the fridge).

Yesterday I found a couple of SBMs (small brown mushrooms) of the insignificant, unidentifiable variety that are an indicator that the beloved Chanterelles and Lobsters are about ready to emerge. I will keep you up to date as I gather!