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!).
Leaves are turning beautiful colors this time of year, but these spots aren’t so pretty. What are they? Bonus points for identifying the tree.
Linden leaf blotch on a basswood leaf. (Basswood is a close relative of lindens, which are common landscaping trees.) Although it looks like the more recognizable giant tar spot, which is a common disease on Norway maple, giant tar spot does not affect basswood.
This week’s contest winner was Ali Kosiba of Jericho, VT