This winter marks the ninth year that I’ve been going with Scott up to Sea Ranch on at least a yearly basis. Some years we got three times, other years only once, but we try and make the trip up there as often as we can find time to get away. And for those nine years the ocean is what always captures my attention. I could sit and stare at those waves coming in and out for hours on end and when that gets old, we make driftwood forts or go shell hunting or climb sandstone cliffs. But this year in the house we stayed in there were a few books about the Sea Ranch hikes and I discovered that one was right next to the house we were staying in. It was called the Monarch Glen because this is where Monarch Butterflies comes during their migration to seek shelter. While I didn’t see any butterflies, I did see all of these enchanting vistas.
Towards the middle of this short walk, there is a forest who’s floor was covered in all sorts of mushrooms. Scott is a mushroom hunter, as you may recall from last year’s porcini harvest. So I brought him back to help me identify some of these beautiful specimens. Below is my favorite an Amenita Muscaria, which you dare not eat! We also saw lots of coral mushrooms, Candy Caps, which are good for eating, and a whole slew of mushrooms that held names like Death Cap and Dark Angel and such. In fact as we walked and drove around we were astonished by all the mushrooms! They were everywhere, it was a bit like being in Alice in Wonderland.
Fueled by mushroom inspiration, when we finally left yesterday we stopped off at Two Fish Bakery for a loaf of sourdough and headed down the coast, very slowly and with frequent stops for woodsy mushroom hikes. We did find oyster mushrooms and winter chanterelles along the way. And just before we headed inland back for Sonoma, we stopped in Bodega Bay for some live crabs for our dinners feast.
Mushroom hunting is very fun, even just walking around looking at them, this year especially. However, as I’m sure you know, if you dare to pick and eat please do examine them closely and bring Mushrooms Demystified
Hi, this is my first time visiting your blog and the pictures are dear to my heart. I grew up in Berkeley and we visited Sea Ranch frequently. I also went to college a couple years at Sonoma State and then spent a recent year in Humboldt County (though Colorado is my home). That foggy, lush landscape that produces gorgeous mushrooms like the ones you photographed is so special and unique.
I look forward to stopping back and seeing what’s up in your neck of the woods.
Rachel @ 6512 and growing
Thanks for the comment Rachel! Humboldt is beautiful too as well as Colorado. I hope to see you visit again soon.
Looks like fun. I’d love to learn more about mushroom hunting. We pick morels in the spring, but that’s the only ones I know how to spot for certain.
Gorgeous pictures. I would love to go mushroom hunting. Definitely on the list for this year.
Love mushrooms, simply love them! If you know of any good mushroom hikes, please share them. I did become a member if the sF Mycological Society but never really heard about what outings they were doing. I’d love to go mushroom hunting with someone who knows. Great photos. How do you get that clear/blurry effect? It really renders well the mushroomness of the forest floor. Sea Ranch, now you got me thinking…
Fantastic! I’ve been meaning to join the local mushroom hunting club here in Massachusetts…that is, if I can get over my fear of poisonous mushrooms. I hope you enjoyed your wild mushroom meal!
Hello:
May I have permission to use your blog entry here and the photos to discuss nature with my group called, Feathers ‘n Petals. This is a non-profit venture.
Thanks
Shirley M. Flanagan
Feathers ‘n Petals
Writer’s Oasis
I really enjoy mushroom hunting. It is one of the few things we enjoy as a family. If only we could get beyond chanterelles!