Morels? in front yard in June? Identify?

[sbukosky]

This third week of June I have some morels popping up in my front yard. I've had some for the last three years. I know I should post some pictures of them. They look like black morels from what I can research using pictures. They have a hollow stem but rather spongy. I've not cut the caps open and plan to do that tonight as I read the difference in attachments between real and false morels. The caps have a brown, slightly thick liquid over them. The rain washes it off easily.

I have no intention of eating them, but I've not found any discussion of a morel with this brown fluid on them. The morels that I've seen have not had any kind of liquid on them as these have. Would anybody hazard a guess what these may be?

[Frank]

Doesn't sound like morels because of the liquid you are describing. Morels never grow slimy unless they are totally rotten. Sometimes Yellow morels grow into the middle of June, but it would be very unsual for a black morel to still be growing this time of year.

[Justapickin]

Pinch it between your fingers and smell of them......Looks kind of like a morel,slimey.....perhaps it's a Stinkhorn...

[MariosMushroom]

It's late for verpas but does it look like this? Is the inside part of the stem cottony?

http://www.northerncountrymorels.com/images/verpa.jpg

[sbukosky]

I searched for images and yes, I'm 100% certain that it is a stinkhorn. Mystery solved. Thanks!

[Bachflock]

Glad I looked a little lower - you've answered your question. Stink horns are neat fungi - I'd still like to see pictures if you can manage it!