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!).
What made the scratch marks on this maple branch?
A squirrel gnawed on this maple limb to reach the xylem, causing the sap to bleed – much like drilling a tap hole – then likely waited for the sap to dry into a concentrated sugary residue, which makes a nice snack for a squirrel!
This week’s contest winner was Fhar Miess