White Saddle

... Helvella crispa
We had a very pleasant woodland walk today, in a wood we can see across the valley from our house. The weather was a little changeable but the sun broke through a few times and it stayed dry. We saw lots of birds, but many were too quick or elusive for us and the fungi were largely soggy after recent persistent rain, but these Helvella were in fairly good condition thanks to their firm, rubbery texture. They are Ascomycetes (spore shooters) and - as I know people often want to know - Phillips classifies them as edible but poor. They seem to be getting more common in this part of the country. I saw my first one only a few years ago, and nowadays, seem to see them quite regularly.