Seeds of many kinds of pollinated flowers develop in protective structures. And many of those structures are unique, picturesque, and interesting, including some in southeastern Pennsylvania.

One spring evening, I saw a wolf spider crossing our street in front of our suburban house. Fearing a casualty on the street, I chased that spider off it.

During the late afternoon of June 10 of this year, I was on our lawn in New Holland enjoying sun-soaked green trees and shrubbery and listening to mourning doves and house finches.

As adults, ring-necked snakes and brown snakes are a little over a foot long and slender. Both are common species in southeastern Pennsylvania and the eastern two-thirds of the United States.

As adults, ring-necked snakes and brown snakes are a little over a foot long and slender. Both are common species in southeastern Pennsylvania and the eastern two-thirds of the United States.

July, August, and September are the months of insects in southeastern Pennsylvania. And many kinds of insects have unique ways to protect themselves, including exhibiting large, fake eyes that frighten away would-be predators.

July, August, and September are the months of insects in southeastern Pennsylvania. And many kinds of insects have unique ways to protect themselves, including exhibiting large, fake eyes that frighten away would-be predators.

Eastern box turtles, Blanding’s turtles, and wood turtles are beautifully colored, camouflaged species in the northeastern United States. These species demonstrate divergence (branching out) and convergence (coming together).

Eastern box turtles, Blanding’s turtles, and wood turtles are beautifully colored, camouflaged species in the northeastern United States. These species demonstrate divergence (branching out) and convergence (coming together).

Wood ducks and hooded merganser ducks are not closely related but have characteristics in common because they share nesting habitats near creeks and ponds in woodlands in much of the eastern United States.

Wood ducks and hooded merganser ducks are not closely related but have characteristics in common because they share nesting habitats near creeks and ponds in woodlands in much of the eastern United States.

Majestic bald eagles and handsome great horned owls have much in common, though they are in different bird families.

Majestic bald eagles and handsome great horned owls have much in common, though they are in different bird families.

There is no greater, more thrilling, or more inspiring natural happening in the Lower 48 than 600,000 northbound sandhill cranes gathering each evening for a few weeks on the Platte River in south-central Nebraska.

There is no greater, more thrilling, or more inspiring natural happening in the Lower 48 than 600,000 northbound sandhill cranes gathering each evening for a few weeks on the Platte River in south-central Nebraska.

Though not closely related, woodchucks and muskrats are adaptable rodents that have traits in common. Both species are native to much of North America, including southeastern Pennsylvania.

When snow melts in fields, meadows, and roadsides in southeastern Pennsylvania, several winding, inch-wide trails through matted grass are exposed, revealing the presence of meadow voles, a kind of mouse.

Pitch pines and table mountain pines are scrubby, picturesque trees that mostly inhabit poor, thin soil on dry, rocky ridges and slopes along the Appalachian Mountains.

Crabeater and Weddell seals live abundantly in the southern oceans. Both species are incredibly admirable for being well adapted to living around Antarctica, a tough environment to call home.

Several species of krill, which are crustaceans related to shrimp, crayfish, and crabs, are abundant in all oceans on Earth.