Don Scallen

Have groundhogs learned the ability to look both ways before crossing?

Our understanding of the natural world is often rather muddled. Calling a yellow-jacket a bee is like calling a fox a woodchuck.

Red-backed salamanders are abundant, outnumbering all of the reptiles, rodents and birds that share their forest habitat.

Don’t worry about deadheading your perennials after they flower – allow them to go to seed and provide succor to goldfinches and other birds.

When I walk into my yard I am greeted by a gloriously diverse menagerie of tiny winged creatures.

Most of us are old enough to remember when monarchs were a frequent sight in meadows and gardens.

Milksnakes, a threat to no one except Mickey and Minnie.

Green frogs sometimes strike out cross country in search of new ponds and new environments, boldly going where no frogs have gone before!

Cowbirds, if unlikely to garner much human sympathy, are fascinating creatures.

Take time to notice the fox, white-crowned and white-throated sparrows.

The flight of the timberdoodle should continue through April and can be witnessed at dawn as well as dusk.

Humans have long had a love-hate relationship with these ingenious creatures.

The heart-gladdening beauty of early wildflowers is a signal all is right in the woodland. Which one is your favourite?

The redpoll feeding etiquette is decidedly boorish; they jostle each other rudely for favoured perches on the feeders.

Chickadees are consummate risk takers and they pack a lot of smarts into their tiny bird brains.

Hairy woodpeckers brandish large dagger-like beaks; the beaks of downys are smaller and more chisel-like.

Opossums, having migrated north are also unlikely winter survivalists. Naked ears, feet and tails slough off frozen fragments during our harsh winters.

Many ferns boast exquisite form and are splendid photographic subjects. Seeking them is a fine excuse for a late season ramble.