October saw plenty of rain. And with moisture comes mushrooms. At least that’s the case for Paul Watson of Columbia Falls. Watson has noticed four or five different varieties in his front yard alone.

The flourishing fungi piqued his interest, he said, because he lost a dog to a poisonous mushroom a few years ago.

This time around, Watson is keeping his dog well away from the mushrooms.

“They don’t have common sense,” Watson said. “We’re real careful when we go out on walks.”

Watson is somewhat familiar with mushrooms and enjoys foraging for edible ones.

“I love going out and picking morels, but with others, you only get one shot,” Watson said.

Watson has yet to find the mushroom growing in his yard in his identification book, and after researching online, the Hungry Horse News has also come up dry for a definitive identification.

Perhaps that serves better to drive home Watson’s point.

“I would really find out for sure what you’re eating, before you eat it,” he suggested.