Whatever draws us into the forest—be it birdwatching or logging, hiking or hunting—all of us are unified by the sense of wonder we feel in the outdoors. The forests, fields, and streams of our region are full of mystery, and if you stop and look closely, you’ll see all sorts of oddities.
Below find a picture of one such woodlands curio. Guess what it is and you’ll be eligible to win a Northern Woodlands woodpecker magnet designed by artist Liz Wahid. A prize winner will be drawn at random from all the correct entries. The correct answer, and the winner’s name, will appear when the next column is posted and in our newsletter (sign up here!).
This depression was observed shortly after the snow melted in a small opening in the woods of the Green Mountains. What is it?
The bottom half of a rodent tunnel (maybe a vole?) created in the subnivean zone. The upper half was formed by snow. Ironically, it’s usually only after the snow is gone that we can see evidence of the life that takes place in the subnivean zone; learn more about it here.
This week’s contest winner was Robert E. Zimmerman