Explore the Wild World of Foraging, Fiction, and Field Guides
Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting to explore the worlds I’ve created, I’m truly glad you’re here. Writing has always been my way of connecting – not just with nature and storytelling, but with people like you who find meaning in the outdoors, the written word, or both.
On this site, you’ll find free resources for mushroom hunters and foragers, printable field journals, original short stories, and a growing collection of books shaped by real-life adventure and imagination. My hope is that every guide sparks curiosity, every story pulls you in, and every visit to this page leaves you with something worth returning for.
Michigan and Great Lakes Morel Mushroom Hunting Series
“Learn to safely identify, harvest, cook, and preserve delicious morel mushrooms with this expert field guide focused on Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Packed with clear photos and practical tips, it’s the perfect mushroom hunting companion for both beginners and experienced foragers.”
What You’ll Learn
- Field-Tested Tips from Veteran Mushroom Hunters
- How to Identify Yellow, Black, and Half-Free Morels
- The Best Time and Place to Hunt Morels in Michigan and the Great Lakes Region
- How to Safely Harvest and Handle Your Morel Mushrooms
- How to Store and Preserve Your Morels Long-Term
- Finding Morels based on “Companion Plants” often found nearby
Reader Reviews for This Morel Mushroom Hunting Guide
★★★★★
Wonderfully written! Tons of information! If you hunt morels, you should buy this book. Awesome tips!
★★★★★
Insightful and concise. This makes a perfect field guide and I plan to take it with me on my next morel hunt.
★★★★★
Great for new foragers and young ones getting into mushroom identification – the vip info is consistent and easy to understand. Poisonous has its own section marked in red, but any mention of poison elsewhere is also red. Helps you familiarize well!
Real Morel Foraging Photos from the Field
Every photo in this gallery was taken during my own mushroom hunts across the Great Lakes region. These are not stock images—they’re authentic field shots of yellow morels (Morchella americana) growing in natural habitats, from oak leaf litter to damp forest floors after spring rains.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn proper morel identification or a seasoned hunter scouting habitat clues, these images are proof that I forage what I write. Use them as a visual reference or simply as inspiration for your next adventure into the woods.
A lone morel peeks through the spring forest floor, nestled among oak leaves and new green growth. A real-world find from author James Sterling’s foraging fieldwork. 
A wild yellow morel found growing near mayapple on a wet spring morning. Photographed on-location by author James Sterling. 
One of several successful morel mushroom harvests by author James Sterling, gathered in the Great Lakes region during peak season. 
A hands-on moment from a real spring morel hunt. James Sterling demonstrates proper identification of a mature yellow morel in its natural habitat.
About James Sterling – Author of Fantasy Fiction & Morel Mushroom Field Guides
Hi, I’m James—writer, daydreamer, and lifelong fan of fantasy and science fiction. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been drawn to stories that whisk you away to far-off worlds and introduce you to wild, unforgettable characters. I spent countless hours with my nose in books, imagining epic quests and magical realms. Eventually, that love of storytelling turned into a passion for writing—and now, it’s what I do.
I’ve published several works on Amazon, ranging from fast-paced adventures to more thoughtful, imaginative tales. Lately, I’ve also dipped into nonfiction, tackling real-world topics with the same curiosity that fuels my fiction. I’m especially excited about a children’s book series I’m working on, meant to spark wonder and creativity in young readers.
When I’m not writing, you’ll probably find me out in the woods. I’m an avid morel mushroom forager and outdoorsman, especially in the Great Lakes region. There’s something magical about hiking through the forest in spring, spotting those elusive mushrooms, and reconnecting with nature. That love of the outdoors definitely finds its way into my writing, too.
Right now, I’m hard at work on a brand-new fantasy series that’s been years in the making. It’s my biggest project yet, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Thanks for stopping by—and for joining me on this wild creative ride. More stories coming soon.
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