Slippery Jack

Suillus luteus

In a woodland kingdom where Penny Bun is the slightly plump fairy princess, Slippery Jack has to be the loveable rogue.
Easy to recognise because they grow with conifers especially scots pine, they have and pores instead of gills, a ring and a slimy gelatinous cap which is a strange maroon-brown colour. If you peel off the offending skin, the flesh tends to be a spongy pale lemon: not an appetising texture, but if you dry and powder them, or serve them liquidised in soups, the flavour is pleasing.
I went for a walk this morning and had hoped I might catch of a kingfisher in a location where we saw one last week, but no luck.
After my blip last night, I changed into some warm clothes for a badger watch, only to discover that the nightly visitor was already on the patio, so I could only watch him / her from the kitchen window. Tonight it's raining quite heavily so I'm wondering if he'll put in an appearance. It's been nearly 3 weeks since I first saw them and I know they've visited every night even if I haven't seen them - they've taken the peanuts from under the rock and devoured the plums.
Another 5 miles of the Cuckoo way tomorrow, as long as the weather isn't too grim.