What in the Woods is That?

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…

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…

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…

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?

Our Executive Director found this critter on an apple tree near his home in northern Vermont on July 25. What is it?

You'll need to tell us what it is to win, but feel free to also include your Rorschachian interpretations.

This animal skull was found partially buried in a Vermont hardwood stand. What kind of animal is it?

Our proofreader discovered this strange object in a spruce tree near her home. What in the woods is it?

Naturalist Mary Holland shared this wonderful picture with us...yup, it's an animal den site. But what kind of animal?

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?

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.)

Many mammals, including opossums, red foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, skunks, and cottontail rabbits, use holes for den sites, sometimes simultaneously. This particular hole is only being used by…

We’re going to purposely ignore the fact that there’s fresh snow on the ground at the moment and offer up a more hopeful look at the forest floor. What kind of flower is this?

As our resident tracking expert Sue Morse is fond of pointing out, feet make tracks! What kind of paw are we looking at here?

Our friend Bryan Pfeiffer submitted this intriguing picture. OK, botanists, what is it?

This tool was found recently leaning up against a tree in a forest. What’s it used for?

Each of these cones was collected in the woods around our office in Corinth, Vermont. Name all five species.

By now you’ve all had a chance to read Bernd Heinrich’s wonderful story in our winter issue on identifying bird’s nests. You have read the story, right? Put your newfound skills to work…

This picture, circa the mid-1980s, shows biologist Will Staats surrounded by scarred saplings. What, specifically, caused this damage?

Sort of other worldy, huh? What in the woods is it?