Songwriter Junction

I was certain I would found puffballs (Calvatia and Lycoperdon) on yesterday's hike.

I followed my own rules for identification and edibility. Last night I matched characteristics of the mushrooms with my field guides, notes and trusted solutions. Lastly, a few of hours after dinner, I cooked as well as ate one little piece of what realize is nontoxic.

This morning, I ate two much more tiny pieces and if I go on to feel fine, lunch will be a sauteed mushroom omelet.

Just as before, I have "Wildman" Steve Brill to thank for individually encouraging me to apply my foraging abilities to mushrooms - and for publishing in depth info on his Find website.

In the area, I gathered little mushrooms growing from buried, decaying logs. They had been very soft and when I broke them open their inner flesh stayed white. That was sufficient to set them in paper bags and drive them home. Once I got them out again, I matched their shapes and qualities with my field manuals as well as "Wildman's" website.

I knew the toughest case scenario is that the poisonous look-alike would cause stomach distress, yet not death. I additionally realized they turn black within a while when you break them open.

Once I was sure I had pear-shaped puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme), I looked for recipes. "Wildman" suggested preparation which is simple, because the mushroom's flavor is delicate, in spite of the strong aroma.

Yesterday was among those rare perfect weather days. With a storm approaching, I took advantage of the time for a long hike. I watched a red-tail hawk, refreshing coyote scat, nearly walked into a doe and her fawn, and perhaps found a small chicken mushroom and several wild summer greens.