Beach Plums: A Surprising Discovery

Ever since Gary Lincoff handed me a jar of his home-made beach plum jam, I’ve looked for an accessible location that would have beach plums (Prunus maritima). I found them where I’d least expect them to be and that only because a fellow forager wanted to confirm a hunch about the plant’s identification. I’m learning [...]

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Winter Foraging: The Art of Ice Fishing

At first, there seemed to be no tension on the fishing line, but as I continued to pull, I could feel the tug of the wriggling yellow perch. Moments later the fish lay on the ice. Using a surgeon’s forceps, Richie carefully removed the hook and the uneaten bait – a minnow – from the [...]

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Mushroom University in the Field

Mycology is more than simply naming a mushroom. Learning to see has been priceless.

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Autumn Mushroom: Brick Tops

Applying Mushroom U lessons when no expert was at hand.

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Mushroom ID: The Devil’s in the Details

The mark of a good naturalist is how carefully every detail is studied. In the world of mycology every detail matters.

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Why Harvest Acorns?

I’d rather go hiking and eat real food, even if preparing it takes a bit of work, than eat the corporate chemical concoctions available in most supermarkets.

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After a Long Drought, Rain Brings Boletes

Mushrooms need moisture to fruit, so after weeks of record-breaking heat, the rain has returned with enough volume to encourage these boletes.

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Foraging in the Absence of Mushrooms

Foraging typically yields something, even if it’s not what I started out looking for.

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Mid-Summer Foraging: Grape Leaves

Summer foraging can be full of surprises.

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Nature Has the Final Say, Not the Humans Trying to Outwit Nature

Nature operates on its own terms, we are fooling ourselves if we think we can outwit nature.

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