Weasel learns to fly a woodpecker (BBC)

Wisdom Quarterly; BBC.com (Earth Capture)

Can you top this photo of a weasel riding a woodpecker?

Kinnara: What's that bird doin?

An amazing photo of a battle between predator and prey has gone viral. We think one of you must have an even better shot!

This photo of a weasel riding on the back of a woodpecker has gone viral after it was posted on social media. It has been picked up by media outlets worldwide. Speaking to BBC News the photographer Martin Le-May said he was "taken aback" by how many people were sharing the photo.
 

Birds ride mammals, not the other way around.

The weasel was not using the woodpecker for transport, but was actually after a [vicious] meal. BBC Earth now has a challenge for you: Can you top this photo?

Today we are launching BBC Earth Capture, a series of video and photo challenges. Each will have a separate theme, for you to interpret how you wish. In honor of the weasel and the woodpecker, our inaugural challenge is called "Extraordinary."

If you've captured something extraordinary in nature share it with us, and we'll share it with the world. Find out how to take part by clicking this link: Take the BBC Earth Capture challenge. Or, if you'd prefer, tweet us with your pictures.

A weasel rides the back of a woody pecker like a wood-frame Cessna (Martin Le-May/BBC)

So how did this picture happen?

Bird people (garudas) were on Earth.

It was an unusual sight to encounter on a stroll on a dull day in March. A strangled, distressed squawking and a flash of green grabbed the attention of Martin Le-May and his wife Ann as they walked around Hornchurch Country Park, Greater London in the UK.

 

Hiding behind a tree with binoculars to get a better view, the pair was stunned to witness a ferocious tussle between a green woodpecker and a weasel. And then something amazing happened: the woodpecker took flight with the weasel clinging onto its back. More