Fungi Friday ~ I Almost Walked Right Into This Dryad's Saddle

While out walking the trails I'm always looking around for any type of mushrooms to photograph. I find myself looking down mostly and sometimes up. My husband looks out for them for me also and he usually finds the ones way up high and will point them out for me. Imagine my surprise when both of us almost walked right into this beautiful specimen that was right about eye level.

I found this Dryad's Saddle along the Pot Rocks Trail at the Gunpowder Falls State Park in Baltimore County, Maryland.

The Dryad's Saddle mushroom may also be known as the Pheasant Back mushroom and Hawks Wing mushroom. Those are the common names but scientifically they are known as Cerioporus squamosus or Polyporus squamosus.

This Dryad's Saddle mushroom is an edible mushroom. They are best harvested though when they are smaller but the larger ones like this one are great in using to make stock.

Dryad's Saddle is high in antioxidants and is a good source of protein and dietary fiber. It is low in fat, sodium and cholesterol and they also contain vitamins B, C and D along with essential minerals. If you aren't sure of the species of mushroom then it is best to leave it alone and just be happy with taking some photos as there are so many species of mushroom that are poisonous and can make you sick and even cause death. I left this beauty where it was after taking my photos. My son and I are the only ones who care for mushrooms and he cares for them much less than I do. Now, if this had been a bit smaller then I would have harvested it in a minute, taken it home and sauteed it right up for lunch. Oh well...gonna keep my eyes open for any mushrooms and keep looking up, down, all around and even right in front of me! 😉

Thank you @ewkaw and @qwerrie!!