Johnny darters, black-nosed dace, and banded killifish live in clear, flowing brooks and streams in southeastern Pennsylvania, as elsewhere in the eastern United States.

Rough-winged swallows are plain little birds that are big in being adaptable enough to use a variety of niches, both natural and human-made, for nesting.

Rough-winged swallows are plain little birds that are big in being adaptable enough to use a variety of niches, both natural and human-made, for nesting.

Several kinds of native, woodland wildflowers bloom in many woods in April in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Several kinds of native, woodland wildflowers bloom in many woods in April in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Though from different bird families, eastern bluebirds and eastern phoebes have much in common, besides their first name.

Though from different bird families, eastern bluebirds and eastern phoebes have much in common, besides their first name.

Although they are mostly nocturnal, I have heard and seen many raccoons in our area over the years.

Although they are mostly nocturnal, I have heard and seen many raccoons in our area over the years.

Though scavengers of dead animals and reviled by some people, black vultures are always clean and not repulsive in appearance.

One afternoon this past summer, I noticed a pair of redheaded woodpeckers in a cow pasture that was dotted with trees, one of them dead and lacking bark but still standing.

One afternoon this past summer, I noticed a pair of redheaded woodpeckers in a cow pasture that was dotted with trees, one of them dead and lacking bark but still standing.

I was cooking hot dogs over an open fire on our lawn this past September, when I heard violent scrambling on the bark of a tall Norway spruce tree bordering our yard.

On blustery days early in October, not so many years ago, when cold wind blew briskly from the north or northwest after a couple of days of rain or sullen weather,

I enjoy the wildlife I see daily at home more than any other part of nature.