Hens are in the woods!

[Dave]

This mushroom is called "The hen of the woods."  It's also known as a Maitake mushroom and go between $14 to $18 per pound in our area supermarkets.

I'm thinking I collected about 20+ pounds - all off the base of that dead oak in the background.  Wish I could sell them to the mkts.

Cooked some up and boy are they tender and tasty!

The one in my left hand, I am holding upside down.  The top is the same as the one in my right hand.   

[FinsnFur]

We were talking about those at work today...well I was trying to figure out if these are what THEY were talking about.
I'd need some serious lessons before I trusted what I was finding. The whole things makes me nervous

[Dave]

Here is what they look like in the woods, if it would help.  They are the only mushroom that looks like this.  Also, they mainly (almost always) grow at the base of dead oak trees.

I found them last year int he same spot, so I've been keeping an eye out for when they popped up this year.  They were old last year when I found them and were tough. 
I just caught them right this year!

[FinsnFur]

Very interesting