Reader Ben Haubrich was X-C skiing recently in Francestown, New Hampshire, off trail, when he came across this odd mound in the snow. A closer look revealed . . . we'll tell you, but you…
What in the Woods is That?
February 10th 2011
Who Am I?
You’d all be able to identify this plant in the summertime, but what about now?
January 28th 2011
Sweet Car Mystery
Our friend Dan Wing found this old car out in the woods behind our office. OK, antique car buffs, what is it? We're after make and model, and justify your guesses.
January 14th 2011
Apple-up-a-Tree Mystery
Forester and naturalist Lynn Levine snapped this picture last fall. In all, there were about 25 apples in the crooks of trees at different heights – 10 feet in the air, near the ground,…
December 31st 2010
Great White Pine Mystery
Reader Penny Harris from Cambridge, Vermont lost an enormous white pine in a recent windstorm. This photo shows the inside of the snapped trunk. What caused these strangely shaped holes?
December 16th 2010
Jenga
The Glover Historical Society in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont submitted this photo to us, asking if someone knew what this mysterious crib of logs was used for. Guesses in the office…
December 3rd 2010
Wild Roots
Our Facebook friend Terry Holden took this picture of a yellow birch in Cambridge, Vermont. What caused the tree to grow in this funky manner?
November 18th 2010
A Beautiful Blob
This beautiful blob was photographed recently near our office. What is it? Bonus points will be given for telling us what it’s doing.
November 5th 2010
Whose Scat is That?
This scat’s full of apple skin and apple seeds. The washed out orb you see in the picture is a quarter, for scale. What kind of animal left this calling card?
October 21st 2010
Antique Mystique
Our recent contest picture of a lye barrel prompted readers to submit a number of great historical shots. Here’s one, submitted by Joseph Adams of Rupert, Vermont. OK antique-farm-equipment…
October 7th 2010
Baculum Matching Game
As we all know, many mammals have a bone in their penis, called a “baculum.” From an evolutionary perspective, this can make copulation more effective (note the strategically curved tip…
September 22nd 2010
Historic Mystery
No trip to the Tunbridge World's Fair in Tunbridge, Vermont, is complete without a trip to the beer hall, the pig races, and the historical exhibitions, where this picture was taken. This…
September 10th 2010
Eli’s Mystery
Reader Eli Sagor from St. Paul, Minnesota submitted this picture -- the objects have both a Midwestern and Northeastern woods connection. What are they and what are they used for?
August 26th 2010
A Little Mystery
Our Executive Director found this critter on an apple tree near his home in northern Vermont on July 25. What is it?
August 13th 2010
Wild Shapes
You'll need to tell us what it is to win, but feel free to also include your Rorschachian interpretations.
July 29th 2010
Mysterious Skull
This animal skull was found partially buried in a Vermont hardwood stand. What kind of animal is it?
July 7th 2010
Strange Sight
Our proofreader discovered this strange object in a spruce tree near her home. What in the woods is it?
June 23rd 2010
Who Lives Here?
Naturalist Mary Holland shared this wonderful picture with us...yup, it's an animal den site. But what kind of animal?
June 9th 2010
Weird Design
Reader Susan Elliot took this picture at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center this past weekend while attending the 115th Annual Meeting of the Vermont Botanical and Bird Club. What is it?
May 26th 2010
Unknown Insect
Our friend Bryan Pfeiffer shared this wonderful picture with us. What kind of bug is it? (Hint: you really have seen it before, especially at this time of year.)