As the sun stretched its days longer and leaves unfurled their emerald banners, I embarked on a quest not for gold, nor glory, but for something far more enchanting – mushrooms. Not just any mushrooms, mind you, but those elusive, edible treasures that paint the forest floor in vibrant hues and tantalize the taste buds with earthy whispers of summer's bounty.

From the beginning of June through mid-July, the woods became my canvas, dappled sunlight my spotlight, and each rustle of leaves a potential symphony of flavor. And oh, what a symphony it was!

Golden oysters, an invasive delicacy, adorned fallen trees like vibrant bouquets while chanterelles erupted from the mossy undergrowth like liquid sunshine- their delicate gills, nestled beneath ruffled caps, held the secrets of citrus and spice, promising to dance on the tongue with every bite. Nearby, chicken of the woods, perched proudly on fallen logs, resembled burnished crowns fit for a woodland king. Their sulfur-yellow flesh, firm and meaty, whispered of savory roasts and creamy risottos, a feast for the eyes and the soul.

This is just a glimpse, a fleeting taste of the mycological tapestry I encountered in those sun-drenched weeks. Here's to mushroom memories of the year past and a tribute for many more fantastic fungal summer days to come. I hope that you enjoy.

June - Mid-July Mushrooms:

Golden Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus citrinopileatus):

Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus):

White-pored Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus cincinnatus):

Ghost Chanterelle (Cantharellus phasmatis):

Midwestern Yellow Chanterelle (Cantharellus flavus):

Summer Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius):

Boletus variipes:

Lanmaoa pseudosensibilis:

Frost's Bolete (Exsudoporus frostii):

Blackfoot Polypore (Cerioporus leptocephalus):

Brittle Cinder (Kretzschmaria deusta):

Leucocoprinus ianthinus:

Red-mouth Bolete (Boletus subvelutipes):

Crown-tipped Coral Fungus (Artomyces pyxidatus):

Spreading Yellow Tooth (Hydnophlebia chrysorhiza):

Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae):

Neofavolus americanus:

Elegant Polypore (Cerioporus varius):

Boletus rubroflammeus:

Boletus vermiculosoides:

Bresadolia craterella:

Phellinus everhartii:

Blushing Rosette (Abortiporus biennis):

Yellow American Blusher (Amanita flavorubens):

Turkey-Tail (Trametes versicolor):

Tender Nesting Polypore (Hapalopilus rutilans):

Caloboletus inedulis:

Ruby Bolete (Hortiboletus rubellus):

Orange Mycena (Mycena leaiana):

Peppery Bolete (Chalciporus piperatus):

Reddish Brown Bitter Bolete (Tylopilus rubrobrunneus):

Grey Bolete (Retiboletus griseus):