Destroying Angel

Habitat:

Mixed coniferous and deciduous forests; they tend to appear during summer and early fall. The fruit bodies are commonly found near oak, but have been reported in birch-aspen areas in the west. It is most commonly found in eastern North America.

Notes:

I understand that fungus ID is almost impossible by sight, and further tests are needed for good ID's. (And I'm not very good at it) My best (by sight ID) guess is that this is some sort of Amanita, and from photo comparisons on line, descriptions and location my hunch is that this is (Amanita bisporigera) the eastern North American destroying angel. That is species linked to in the reference page. There were many similar white mushrooms (likely same species) that I came across in this hike. As always, if anyone with more expertise can further help in ID, it is always welcomed and appreciated.