Saturday, October 22, 2016

Fall Mushroom Identification

All through my childhood we hunted wild mushrooms.  So I became familiar with several tasty varieties - Morel, Shaggy Mane, Oyster, Coral, and Chantrelle - but I know many more are edible - like Boletes - but I never have figured out how to positively identify them.  This year, there are mushrooms popping up everywhere - most of which I have never eaten.  So here are some pictures from my walk this morning.  Any help with ID is appreciated!
Well, I have to say this one looks poisonous.
Boletus?
??
It would be nice if this one was edible - we have a full field of them!
Coral - most coral mushrooms are edible and choice.  I've seen them the size of a large cabbage, so I'm letting these grow to see if they grow into something that's worthy of picking.
Amanita?  If so, very poison!
These are huge, abundant, and very much favored by local animals, so they must be edible.
Chanterelle - My absolute favorite!  Easily identified and safe once you know them.  Available at the Public Market for $19.95 per pound!

Monday, October 17, 2016

The River is Angry

When we had an office in the city of Granite Falls, often tourists would stop in to ask "Is there really a falls?" 

Yes - there is a falls - it is located about a mile east of town on the road to the popular camping areas of the Mt Baker National Forest located further up Mt. Loop Highway.
Just before the first bridge where the highway crosses the Stilliguamish River, if you look closely, you can see the sign at the trail head.  A small parking lot has trail access on both ends.
Stairs to the left - sloped gravel trail to the right.
Looking down river from the fish ladder.  On the other side is one of the prettiest box canyons you can walk to anywhere.
Some of the equipment on the fish ladder is very old.
The fish ladder is 560 feet long - more facts:
Here's a short video of the river October 17, 2016: