Maybe I could eat some of these, but I am not the one to tell you. The only mushroom I will pick and eat is the morel, because I learned how to identify it for sure. The reason I did that, of course, is that I did not wish to take anyone along on my morel-hunting expeditions. Heh heh.
There are lots more mushrooms in the woods around the Writing Studio and Bait Shop than I usually see in October. I wonder if all the sneezing going on around here has anything to do with the clouds of mushroom spores in the air. Maybe I should take a mushroom course. If I could have tasty mushrooms in the fall as well as in the spring I would even be willing to share my morels.
Margie Guyot must know a lot more about all this than I do. She wrote:
Sending a photo of some shaggy mane mushrooms that were growing in my yard yesterday. They’re delicious mushrooms — have you ever eaten them? Only good if pure white. Once the gills start changing (pale gray turning to black ink), they’re nasty. I made an omelet with them for breakfast. The cold & rain are good for something, at least. But don’t confuse them with the deadly poison amanitas. Shaggies always look shaggy & kind of like White Owl cigars.
OK, if I could be sure of telling the difference between White Owl cigars and the Angel of Death I would give this a try, but I’m not even going to show you the picture on account of liability issues. Not to mention that I don’t want to give Dot McPherson any ideas. Come to think of it, I haven’t heard from Margie in a few days . . .
Torch Lake Views 
Anna Surface
October 2, 2010
My goodness, you do have a variety of mushrooms in your immediate area! I really like the photo of the red-orange flat-headed mushrooms, and all are great captures.
Gerry
October 2, 2010
Thank you Anna. This was a small selection of the kinds that have been sprouting this fall. It’s astonishing, really. I just know some of them are edible. Which ones, which ones . . .
Fee
October 3, 2010
This time of year, every patch of grass hereabouts is decorated with a variety of mushrooms. Since I know less than nothing about which are safe to eat, I’ll continue to allow Tesco to make that decision for me! Much as I love mushrooms, I have no intention of making the local paper by eating the wrong kind.
October has got off to its traditional start – it’s gey dreich oot the day (it’s rather wet and miserable outside today).
Gerry
October 3, 2010
Oooh–more Scottish lessons! I would like to know how “dreich” is pronounced, as I will undoubtedly have a need to use it any day now. I tell you, Scottish lessons, Danish lessons, photography lessons–this is a full-service blog!
Fee
October 4, 2010
Well, “gey” is pronounced in a strangely Scottish way, and I can’t think of a word which would rhyme with it (gay would be the closest, and I doubt your neighbours would know the difference!). The inflection on the “e” is almost like an Aussie saying “g’day” without the “d”. That’s probably as clear as mud.
“Dreich” is simpler (thank the gods, I hear you say) – simply say “dree” and add a soft Scottish “ch” at the end. Like the way we say “loch”. Back of the throat kind of sound.
Gerry
October 4, 2010
I will never look out upon a rainy day again without thinking of Crocodile Dundee clearing his throat. That’s not all bad. He was sort of cute. But I think I’ll keep looking for a nice forest ranger.
Cindy Lou
October 3, 2010
We have a crazy amount of mushrooms up here, too……wonder what’s up? I’m with you on not eating them!
Have I mentioned how very much I like your slide shows? Very much, Miss Gerry! 🙂
Gerry
October 3, 2010
I saw more kinds of mushrooms this morning, too, but they weren’t particularly photogenic. I love mushrooms, and would eat them all if it weren’t for the unfortunate fatal thing.
Thank you for liking the slideshows! I enjoy doing them.
Karma
October 3, 2010
Quite the collection of funky fungi!
I will be safe from any mushroom, Angel of Death or otherwise… not a fan.
Gerry
October 3, 2010
See, you have probably never had a lovely morel sauteed just so in butter . . . On the other hand, I am fine with other people not caring for mushrooms. There are barely enough to go around as it is. 🙂
Kathy
October 3, 2010
Even after going mushroom hunting last year with an “expert” wild mushroom picker (she took classes and everything) I am still too nervous to attempt picking solo. Like you, I think morels are the only safe option. But there are certainly lots & lots of mushrooms in the woods right now. Just saw a friend on Facebook posted her status that she just ate chicken of the woods (hen of the woods). Have never seen one, but that’s suppose to be the most delicious mushroom ever.
Gerry
October 3, 2010
Now, see, I always thought that ruffed grouse was chicken of the woods. 🙂
Learn something every day.
Sometimes I think people will do almost anything for novelty and that little frisson of danger. We are an odd species. Although I must say Miss Puss is rather like that, too.