New taste

Last Saturday I finally found time and will for some stroll in the forest. It was two days after cloudburst that turned some of the streets in the city into rivers.

I fully expected the forest to be impassable, especially that it is a norm for it to be flooded even after moderate rain, but the weather was so dry recently, that the storm was not enough. Even the stream that meanders between trees remained almost completely dry.

I did not think I have a chance to get any mushrooms. But the polypores are always present, so I was looking for them.

My contribution to #FungiFriday by Hive account@ewkaw

First encounter was with the artist's conk. It is usually covered in layer of brown spores, but the recent rain did its part in washing the mushroom.

Next, one of my favorite polypores, the birch polypore. What a lovely bump - well, not so lovely for the attacked tree...

Despite occassional flower, like the following wood cow-wheat, the colors of the forest are rather toned down.

<sub>Can you see spider web in the center?

Here is a close-up. It was only visible when sun was shining on it at certain angle.</sub>

And then I saw it from afar. Bright yellow-orange irregular something at the top of the stump, clearly marking its presence on the backdrop of brown and green trees. Chicken of the woods, but why at this time of the year? Isn't it out of season?

Considering the pace of slugs consuming the mushroom, it most likely grew just in the morning the same day. It is highly unlikely that they would just spot something that was growing for longer, since the forest is teeming with them, they crawl everywhere.

I've seen such mushrooms before, but never so fresh, squishy and apparently tasty. I got jealous of slugs, how come they eat it with such vigor and I never tried despite knowing it is edible? So I took a bit of it from the part that was not yet spoiled by the gluttons.

I've prepared it according to instructions found on the Internet - first boiled it for 10 minutes, then fried it on a pan with just salt and pepper. It changed color to more intense orange. Unfortunately I can't say much about the taste - soft texture, pleasant smell and slightly sour. I wish I picked more of it.

I'll get it before you next time, damn slugs! 🤜🐌😠