What in the Woods Is That?

Play our biweekly guessing game!

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!).

Globulous Maximus

Penny Harris of Cambridge, Vermont found this gelatinous ribbon of brown stuff on a log next to some moss. Do you know what it is?

Answer

Jelly Fungus.

This slimy-looking brown ribbon is jelly fungus. This late-season fungus swells when wet, appearing slimy and jelly-like, shriveling and thinning out in dry weather. This particular fungus appears to be the species Tremella foliacea, known also as brown witch’s butter or leafy jelly fungus.

This week’s contest winner was Alan Seamans of Lisbon, ME