Northwest Rochester has been packed with nature lovers over the last several weeks. People have been flocking to the corner of 55th St and West River Rd. trying to catch a glimpse of the great horned owl and her babies.

I have a different reason for you to head up that way. Load up your kids and take them seashell hunting at Essex Park. I had no idea these existed until last weekend when I was walking around the park with my family and my daughter stopped and asked me why there were “seashells” growing on trees along the path.

I spent entirely too much time Googling mushrooms and trying to figure out what they are, and I’m not 100% sure, but I think they’re ‘Turkey Tail Mushrooms’ which doesn’t make sense to me. Why not just call them seashell mushrooms? I read that many are colorful, like the one pictured above, but we could only find white ones. If you know, send me a chat on our free mobile app.

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FYI, turkey tail mushrooms are said to be really good for your immune system. According to Medical News Today, these mushrooms have been used as a health supplement for centuries.

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Now, I am not a mushroom expert so please don't start picking and eating –  I have no idea if the mushrooms that look like seashells at Essex Park are in fact good for you. I don’t know if they are edible or poisonous, but I do know they look really cool and my kids were psyched to hunt for them. Your kids will probably enjoy finding them too.

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