Look out Morels, here they come!
 
A unique passion emerges in the culture of the Henderson area ‘round this time of year. “Have you seen any yet?” C’mon, won’t you tell me where you found that grocery bag full?”  The desire that comes over people borders on obsession in some cases, all for the chance to taste the flesh of the humble morel mushroom.  Hunters of this woods-borne morsel can tell you stories of “that one year, who boy” or a near-physical confrontation with a competing hunter beneath an old dead elm tree. 
 
Of course, mushrooms are not the only source of food in the spring woods. One can make a salad of spring greens such as dandelion and basswood leaves, flavored with a little watercress or boiled nettle. For some reason, though, the lure of the morel mushroom trumps them all. Personally, I’m not crazy about the taste, but the fact that I’m eating something I picked out of the warm moist soil of a Minnesota River ravine makes it all worth while.
 
There are more folk indicators of when to start looking for morels that any of us know.  Start looking when the lilacs bloom or the oak leaves are the size of squirrel’s ears. Don’t bother looking until you’ve counted your treasures from the Pioneer Power swap meet and don’t pick up your favorite gunny sack until after the white-throated sparrows leave. In any case, sometime in early May is generally when you can begin the hunt.
 
Along your trek this year to find the mother lode of morels, don’t forget to notice all of the wildflowers blooming in the woods. The hepatica and bloodroots will soon be gone, and the Dutchman’s britches and trout lilies are just beginning to blossom. The fuzzy red cups of wild ginger can be found on the ground under last year’s leaves, and the blue phlox can be seen in nearly every roadside. You can see purple and yellow violets in the pastures, and if you are lucky enough you may even find the rare trillium or yellow lady’s slipper. Trees are also a source of blossoms; the wild plums are usually first, then the black and choke cherries, and then the apples. Every deciduous tree flowers in some way, but these are usually the most noticeable. 
 
Any birdwatchers reading this have already been counting warblers passing through on their way north, and watching the migratory waterfowl in farmers’ fields where the spring rains brought back a previous wetland for a week or two.  I’ve noticed a few Juncos still at the feeders, but they will leave quite soon. If you are seeking your evening meal of that delicious fungus later in the evening, you will hear the song and dance of the male Woodcocks as they seek a mate. If you’ve never heard a woodcock squawk as they spiral upwards far into the air before dive-bombing the ground, you’re missing out.
 
As we all come out of our late winter slump and cabin fever is shaken off, take notice of the new life emerging around us in nature. Every roadside stop or evening walk or morning drive yields a new sign of life, a fresh start, an uplifting sight, and a blanket of bright spring green. It’s also nice to see people in t-shirts and shorts, and the garage getting a good spring clean.
 
Good luck morel hunting this year, and if you can take your eyes off of the ground for a minute, take notice of nature’s splendor before the mosquitoes come out and the deep woods become impassable due to thick vegetation. And leave a few morels untouched (tough to do, I know) as their populations are hindered by overharvesting, and as many as possible should be left to mature for reproduction. With responsible harvesting, I’m counting on my secret spots to yield year after year, and the tradition of morel hunting to continue indefinitely. Good luck, and share your recipes!