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!).
We’ve been spotting some monarch butterflies lately as they sip nectar from late summer blooms. Can you tell if this one is a male or a female? How? And – for bonus points – how is the male/female hint in this photo related to butterfly reproduction?
This is a male monarch, as revealed by the black spots on its hindwings. These are scent glands, which help male monarchs to attract females.
This week’s contest winner was Rickey Poor