Caption Quiz is a contest included in Forest Society News, our monthly email newsletter. (To sign up, go to our newsletter signup page.) Some recent photos, questions and answers are included below.

January 2010

The Winner: Chuck Stata of Groton, NH

The Question: There are 115 organized snowmobile clubs in New Hampshire whose members maintain the trails enjoyed by snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, hikers, and others – like the one pictured here at the Forest Society's Washburn Family Forest in Clarksville.

Question: Approximately how many miles of snowmobile trails across the state do these clubs maintain: a) between 500 and 1,000, b) between 1,000 and 2,500, c) between 2,500 and 5,000, or d) more than 5,000 miles?

The Answer: D. According to the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association, snowmobile clubs maintain more than 6,830 miles of trails in New Hampshire.

December 2009

The Winner: Dottie Bean of Farmington, NH

The Question: Approximately 25-30 million live Christmas trees are sold in the United States every year. Like other crops, most Christmas trees are grown on farms. Every spring, new seedlings are planted to replace those harvested.

Almost 10 million artificial trees, which are made from metals and petroleum-based plastics, are sold worldwide each year.

Where are most artificial Christmas trees manufactured?

The Answer: 85% of all artificial Christmas trees sold in the U.S. were made in China.

November 2009

The Winner: Nancy Margerum, Mansfield, Mass.

The Question: Wild turkeys are largest game birds found in North America. They spend their days foraging in the woods for acorns, seeds, plants, small insects, and wild berries. Full-grown wild male turkeys weigh between 18-24 pounds; females average 8-10 pounds. Domestic turkeys weigh how much compared to wild turkeys?

The Answer: Domestic turkeys weigh 100% more than (twice as much as) wild turkeys. Fed a diet of mainly corn and soybean meal along with a supplement of vitamins and minerals, they grow to full maturity in about four to five months, depending on the desired market weight.

October 2009

The Winner: Matt Rioux, Kingston, NH

The Question: The average adult squirrel needs to eat about a pound of food per week to maintain an active life. During autumn, squirrels store nuts, seeds, and other items in the ground in preparation for winter. A squirrel will break the shell of a nut with its teeth, then lick or rub the nut on its face before burying it. Why does the squirrel do this?

The Answer: By licking or rubbing its face on a nut, the squirrel applies a scent to the nut which helps the squirrel find it later, even under a foot of snow.

September 2009

The Winner: none

The Question: Autumnal beauty comes in unexpected places. Name the two tree species represented on this bed of foliose lichens.

The Answer: The leaves pictured were red maple. The cones were red spruce.

August 2009

The Winner: Dr. Garrett Crow of Belmont, Michigan

The Question: Late summer fields of native wildflowers are beautiful but often reviled by allergy sufferers. What is the name of this native late summer wildflower, and is it a culprit causing summer sneezing?

The Answer: The flower pictured was goldenrod, but it is not the cause of hay fever. Ragweed, which tends to bloom at the same time as Goldenrod, is the common wind-pollinated plant that causes so much suffering.

July 2009

The Winner: Walter Johnson of Holderness, NH

The Question: Garter snakes are common across North America from Canada to Central America. They are the single most widely distributed genus of reptile in North America. The common garter snake is the only species of snake to be found in Alaska and is one the northernmost species of snake in the world! After courtship and mating shown, do garter snakes lay eggs or give birth to live young?

The Answer: Garter snakes give birth to live young.