What made the scratch marks on this maple branch?
What in the Woods is That?
Tantalizing Tracks
Northern Woodlands reader Pat Liddle took this photograph on her property in Canaan, New York. The linear impressions in the snow on the left side of the photo had this experienced wildlife…
Mystery Markings
While snowshoeing in central Vermont, we found a number of these sideways scrapes on hardwood trees by a talus slope. What made these marks?
Hairy Hideaway
Reader Tammis Coffin sent in this photo of a somewhat hairy thing tucked into the crevice of a beech tree in western Massachusetts. What is it?
Mystery in Pine
Ben Kilham at the Kilham Bear Center in Lyme, New Hampshire, found this quarter-sized structure under the bark of a pine log. What is it?
Ducky Dance
Ducky dance moves? We came across this mallard twisting himself into some strange – and impressive – positions. What on earth is this duck doing?
O Holey Orb
We found this holey orb-like structure on a dried stalk near the edge of the woods. What happened here?
Wispy Wonder
We found a bush covered in these fluff balls at the edge of a field. What plant is this?
Pondering Pods
Reader Tammis Coffin snapped this photo of a curved, twisted-topped pod in western Massachusetts. What is it?
Cling on Clue
A boy went into the woods and came home with his shirt and pants covered with these clingy customers. What are they?
Holey Maple
This fallen sugar maple leaf was one of many, discovered in close proximity, marked with odd rings of faded color – and a few holes. What’s happening here?
Whose Holes?
We discovered a series of these shallow holes, about 2 inches wide, underneath an eastern white pine tree. Who made them – and why?
Burry Furry Mystery
Like many woods-wandering dogs, this Brittany spaniel regularly returns from romps with small balls sticking to her ears. What are they?
Weird Waters
Kelly Stettner, director of the Black River Action Team sent in this photo of a 6-foot-long something in the water of Muckross Pond in Springfield, Vermont. What is it?
Mushroom Mystery
We found this odd structure growing next to several Amanita mushrooms. What made it?