Favoritos de tconee

This is one of my favorite observations. I drove up on this snake that had a toad in its mouth. When I got out to take pictures, it pushed the toad across the road. When it got to the edge, it threw its body up the side of a sand ledge and pulled the toad up. It was quite incredible to watch.

Cyanocitta cristata harassing Pantherophis alleghaniensis. Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, USA.

There were at least half a dozen blue jays raising a ruckus high up in the trees. I had no idea what it was all about until I reviewed the pictures and saw the snake slithering through the branches. The jays must have been trying to protect nearby nests from the predator.

Looks alot like pineapple bolete but has light yellow gills & sticky cap. Cap is redish / orange brown with yellowing in the center & shaggy bits around the edges. Has a red partial veil. Shaggy stipe, base is redish like cap & fades to bright yellow at the top. Growing on an oak log.