If I had a category entitled "weird things you find in the woods" this would be the first entry. The color is correct, a sort of neon yellow, brain-shaped fungus. A google search proved fruitless. We saw four of them in all. Another unusual woodland sighting ... What? Is that a city over there? Yes, that's Georgetown, part of DC, a really nice shopping, dining, residential part.
When you're half way around the Roosevelt Island hike there are paths leading down to the edge of the Potomac and civilization is visible once again. But for most of the walk it's lovely and serene.
Just right for junior journalers.
And just playing outside (while still inside the beltway) taking in the sights.