I stopped after work for a quick peek incase the white matsutake mushrooms were starting to fruit in my favorite spot. There were a few boletes and gypsy mushrooms so I suspected this was still a bit early for white matsutake as gypsy mushrooms mostly are gone by the time white matsutake starts, but I was surprised to find a few small white matsutakes already up.
A deer must have nibbled the top of this young white matsutake but was unable to pull the deep stem out from the ground, I needed to patiently wiggle the stem free myself and the below photo is this mushroom removed from the soil.
I Should find some of the larger version of white matsutake arriving in these woods in coming weeks.
Here is a photo of the white matsutake part of my basket and the other half will be shown in a little while.
ciao