floridensis
janson jones
Category: Lake county
Storeria victa, 28 February 2015
Storeria victa, the Florida brown snake; Lake county, Florida (28 February 2015). The Florida brown snake is native to, as you might expect, the state of Florida, mostly concentrated throughout the peninsula. They are not commonly seen due to their secretive and reclusive lifestyle.… Continue Reading “Storeria victa, 28 February 2015”
Anartia jatrophae, 19 August 2006
Anartia jatrophae, the White peacock; Lake county, Florida (19 August 2006). The White peacock can be ridiculously abundant in central Florida. This is one of my most-commonly observed butterflies in my home territory of Volusia and Lake counties. Outside of Florida, they range throughout… Continue Reading “Anartia jatrophae, 19 August 2006”
Sceloporus undulatus, 03 March 2004
Sceloporus undulatus, the Eastern fence lizard; Lake county, Florida (03 March 2004). Hard to believe this picture is nearly twenty years old. By now, this particular Eastern fence lizard has lived its life from start to finish. Hopefully it was a good run loaded… Continue Reading “Sceloporus undulatus, 03 March 2004”
Apalone spinifera, 14 May 2006
Apalone spinifera, the Spiny softshell turtle; Lake county, Florida (14 May 2006). Though native elsewhere in the United States, the Spiny softshell is not native to peninsular Florida. Truly, the Florida peninsula is nothing short of a postmodern mash of ecological swirling. The state… Continue Reading “Apalone spinifera, 14 May 2006”
Gastrophryne carolinensis, 07 June 2013
Gastrophryne carolinensis, the Eastern narrowmouth toad; Lake county, Florida (07 June 2013). I do adore the awkward frumpiness of an Eastern narrowmouth toad. This chunky nub of amphibia is mostly fossorial; they spend most of their time somewhat hidden under surface detritus and in… Continue Reading “Gastrophryne carolinensis, 07 June 2013”
Anolis sagrei, 16 December 2012
Anolis sagrei, the Cuban brown anole; Lake county, Florida (16 December 2012). Small as they may be, Cuban brown anoles must appear mighty powerful to their prey. Check out this Cuban brown taking down a hapless spider, itself an adept (albeit smaller) predator. Backyard… Continue Reading “Anolis sagrei, 16 December 2012”
Spring Break 2023: Anolis sagrei
Anolis sagrei, the Cuban brown anole; Lake county, Florida (11 March 2023). Spring Break 2023 Spending the late afternoon and evening in Mount Dora, primarily in my mother’s pool-laden backyard, I came across this non-native Cuban brown anole perched on my mother’s back patio… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Anolis sagrei”
Spring Break 2023: Eleutherodactylus planirostris
Eleutherodactylus planirostris, the Greenhouse frog; Lake county, Florida (11 March 2023). Spring Break 2023 Featured here is a non-native Greenhouse frog I found floating in my mother’s Mount Dora pool. It had clearly been floating in there for quite some time and was a… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Eleutherodactylus planirostris”
Spring Break 2023: Pontederia crassipes
Pontederia crassipes, the Common water hyacinth; Lake county, Florida (11 March 2023). Spring Break 2023 Water hyacinth, the green matte of vegetation you see here on Blackwater Creek, is native to South America but now well established throughout much of the world. In Florida,… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Pontederia crassipes”
Spring Break 2023: Seminole State Forest
Seminole State Forest; Lake county, Florida (11 March 2023). Spring Break 2023 Another view of the fantastic terrain adjacent to Blackwater Creek in the Seminole State Forest. I’ve spent a lot of time in this habitat over the years. Sometimes it’s wet. Sometimes it’s… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Seminole State Forest”
Spring Break 2023: Osmunda spectabilis
Osmunda spectabilis, the American royal fern; Lake county, Florida (11 March 2023). Spring Break 2023 Though I’m mostly ignorant of their evolutionary biology, I’m fascinated by ferns when I stop to look at them more closely. Fern-like growth dates back to around 390 million… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Osmunda spectabilis”
Spring Break 2023: Seminole State Forest
Seminole State Forest; Lake county, Florida (11 March 2023). Spring Break 2023 You might relate, but I don’t really find anything quite as satisfying as quietly making my way through wild growth. The ever-so-light whisper of a breeze adorned with the soft rustle of… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Seminole State Forest”
Spring Break 2023: Cyclosorus interruptus
Cyclosorus interruptus, the Swamp shield-fern; Lake county, Florida (11 March 2023). Spring Break 2023 My next short-stop was the edge of Seminole State Forest in Lake county, more specifically the Blackwater Creek region near State Road 44. I’ve always liked this little corner of… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Cyclosorus interruptus”
Acanthocephala declivis, 27 April 2013
Acanthocephala declivis, the Giant leaf-footed bug; Lake county, Florida (27 April 2013). One of my favorite non-cicada Hemipterans, the Giant leaf-footed bug may look intimidating, but the fear is relatively unwarranted. This is not a bug out to get you, despite its fearsome appearance… Continue Reading “Acanthocephala declivis, 27 April 2013”
Nerodia taxispilota, 10 April 2016
Nerodia taxispilota, the Brown watersnake; Lake county, Florida (10 April 2016). An impressive Brown watersnake encountered and photographed in Lake county, Florida. Of all Florida’s non-venomous watersnake species, the Brown watersnake is the most consistent in coloring and patterning. Wherever you find them, this… Continue Reading “Nerodia taxispilota, 10 April 2016”
Masticophis flagellum flagellum, 26 May 2016
Masticophis flagellum flagellum, the Eastern coachwhip; Lake county, Florida (26 May 2016). Ah, yes, the mighty coachwhip. This species, the Eastern coachwhip, is sort of like a mega-version of the Southern black racer. Eastern coachwhips are typically larger and longer than Southern black racers,… Continue Reading “Masticophis flagellum flagellum, 26 May 2016”
Schistocerca alutacea, 21 November 2010
Schistocerca alutacea, the Leather-colored bird grasshopper; Lake county, Florida (21 November 2010). The Leather-colored bird grasshopper is one of our lesser-seen hoppers in central Florida, though I wouldn’t consider them rare. I just don’t see too many of them. This one was spotted in… Continue Reading “Schistocerca alutacea, 21 November 2010”
Nycticorax nycticorax, 28 November 2010
Nycticorax nycticorax, the Black-crowned night heron; Lake county, Florida (28 November 2010). Though far from being considered rare (or even uncommon), the Black-crowned night heron is one of our lesser-observed heron/egret species in peninsular Florida; they’re a bit more reclusive than many of their… Continue Reading “Nycticorax nycticorax, 28 November 2010”
Diadophis punctatus punctatus, 11 December 2022
Diadophis punctatus punctatus, the Southern ringneck; Lake county, Florida (11 December 2022). I must admit I revel when encountering a wee Southern ringneck. This tiny species is quite abundant throughout central Florida (and elsewhere). They’re also quite reclusive and well-hidden, so I suspect most… Continue Reading “Diadophis punctatus punctatus, 11 December 2022”
Gastrophryne carolinensis, 14 September 2012
Gastrophryne carolinensis, the Eastern narrowmouth toad; Lake county, Florida (14 September 2012). The Eastern narrowmouth toad is Florida’s loan representative of Family Microhylidae, a chonky clade of amphibians. Not quite true toads and not quite true frogs, narrowmouth toads sport robust, smooth, round bodies… Continue Reading “Gastrophryne carolinensis, 14 September 2012”
Nerodia floridana, 01 March 2015
Nerodia floridana, the Florida green watersnake; Lake county, Florida (01 March 2015). A mid-sized Florida green watersnake poised on a picnic table in Mount Dora, Florida. Usually, this species would be situated a bit offshore, likely basking on a matte of reedy, aquatic growth… Continue Reading “Nerodia floridana, 01 March 2015”
Hemidactylus garnotii, 22 February 2015
Hemidactylus garnotii, the Indo-Pacific gecko; Lake county, Florida (22 February 2015). A fantastic and vivid (as usual) Indo-Pacific gecko photographed in Lake county, Florida. Of all of Florida’s non-native, introduced gecko species, Hemidactylus garnotii may be my favorite (with all due respect, H. turcicus).… Continue Reading “Hemidactylus garnotii, 22 February 2015”
Perithemis tenera, 28 June 2014
Perithemis tenera, the Eastern amberwing; Lake county, Florida (28 June 2014). To put it simply, this isn’t the greatest photograph I’ve ever taken, but it is the best photograph I currently have of an Eastern amberwing. Years ago, I used to see these quite… Continue Reading “Perithemis tenera, 28 June 2014”
Anolis sagrei, 01 April 2014
Anolis sagrei, the Cuban brown anole; Lake county, Florida (01 April 2014). A deeply impressive, non-native species, the Cuban brown anole is nearly omnipresent throughout the lower tangles of the Florida peninsula these days. They arrived in the state over a hundred years ago… Continue Reading “Anolis sagrei, 01 April 2014”
Lyssomanes viridis, 17 May 2015
Lyssomanes viridis, the Magnolia green jumping spider; Lake county, Florida (17 May 2015). The Magnolia green jumping spider is a common species widely distributed throughout most of the American southeast. Averaging between five and eight millimeters, this is a wee tiny spider that, yes,… Continue Reading “Lyssomanes viridis, 17 May 2015”
Nerodia floridana, 01 March 2015
Nerodia floridana, the Florida green watersnake; Lake county, Florida (01 March 2015). My nickname for this species is The Beefcake. An old friend liked to call it The Blockhead. I think both are apt. This is an adult Florida green watersnake, a very large… Continue Reading “Nerodia floridana, 01 March 2015”
Pantherophis alleghaniensis, 27 June 2022
Pantherophis alleghaniensis, the Eastern (yellow) rat snake; Lake county, Florida (27 June 2022). The Yellow rat snake, as it’s often referred to locally, was one of my childhood favorites. I still adore them, of course. Large, arboreal, and fairly shy, Yellow rat snakes can… Continue Reading “Pantherophis alleghaniensis, 27 June 2022”
Storeria victa, 22 February 2015
Storeria victa, the Florida brown snake; Lake county, Florida (22 February 2015). The Florida brown snake is common, harmless, and wicked small. They spend most of their time fairly well hidden under surface detritus and within loose soils. Given their habitat preference, it makes… Continue Reading “Storeria victa, 22 February 2015”
Plestiodon inexpectatus, 16 May 2015
Plestiodon inexpectatus, the Southeastern five-lined skink; Lake county, Florida (16 May 2015). Ah, yes, our beloved Southeastern five-lined skink. In central Florida, this is our dominant, most commonly observed skink species. Fairly small and quite slinky, I often find these scrambling and scurrying about… Continue Reading “Plestiodon inexpectatus, 16 May 2015”
Gymnetis thula, 27 April 2013
Gymnetis thula, the Harlequin flower beetle; Lake county, Florida (27 April 2013). A fabulously strange and ornate Harlequin flower beetle loitering abut the interior of Lake county, Florida. In the United States, this species appears to mostly be limited to Florida, Louisiana and Texas.… Continue Reading “Gymnetis thula, 27 April 2013”
Egretta tricolor, 18 August 2006
Egretta tricolor, the Tricolored heron; Lake county, Florida (18 August 2006). Who doesn’t love a nice Tricolored heron? This species is very abundant in Florida but probably less noticed and recognized than their bigger, louder Great blue heron and Great egret cousins. This Tricolored… Continue Reading “Egretta tricolor, 18 August 2006”
Gopherus polyphemus, 11 December 2022
Gopherus polyphemus, the Gopher tortoise; Lake county, Florida (11 December 2022). This super young Gopher tortoise was loitering around a bit too close to a pool, so it was gently taken to the other side of the fence where the sandy dunes and nearby… Continue Reading “Gopherus polyphemus, 11 December 2022”
Nerodia floridana, 07 May 2017
Nerodia floridana, the Florida green watersnake; Lake county, Florida (07 May 2017). When it comes to Florida green watersnakes in my hands, the only thing better than catching a nice, healthy adult for photographs is catching two of them at the same time. I… Continue Reading “Nerodia floridana, 07 May 2017”
Hyla squirella, 01 June 2004
Hyla squirella, the Squirrel treefrog; Lake county, Florida (01 June 2004). This is an extremely old photo taken with my first digital camera. This is a Squirrel treefrog, a very common species that is extremely variable in appearance. A general rule of thumb for… Continue Reading “Hyla squirella, 01 June 2004”
Acanthocephala declivis, 19 June 2022
Acanthocephala declivis, the Giant leaf-footed bug; Lake county, Florida (19 June 2022). The Giant leaf-footed bug is another seemingly scary big bug many believe to be dangerous to humans but, in fact, is not. This is no assassin bug, despite its fearsome appearance. As… Continue Reading “Acanthocephala declivis, 19 June 2022”
Anhinga anhinga, 29 February 2020
Anhinga anhinga, the Anhinga; Lake county, Florida (29 February 2020). The Anhinga is a regional favorite for me. Though I may be into scales a bit more than proper feathers, Anhingas truly are terrific. They’re fantastic swimmers and carry the nickname the “snakebird.” Once… Continue Reading “Anhinga anhinga, 29 February 2020”
Thamnophis saurita sackenii, 19 January 2017
Thamnophis saurita sackenii, the Peninsula ribbon snake; Lake county, Florida (19 January 2017). Peninsula ribbon snakes are closely related to the more commonly recognized garter snakes. Ribbons tend to be a bit thinner and, well, ribbon-like. I tend to find them very close to… Continue Reading “Thamnophis saurita sackenii, 19 January 2017”
Heteropoda venatoria, 27 June 2014
Heteropoda venatoria, the Pantropical huntsman spider; Lake county, Florida (27 June 2014). The Pantropical huntsman spider is, at this point, a global species. Perhaps native to southeastern Asia (I’m not entirely sure), it’s now very well established throughout most of the Floridian peninsula. This… Continue Reading “Heteropoda venatoria, 27 June 2014”
Cemophora coccinea coccinea, 18 April 2015
Cemophora coccinea coccinea, the Florida scarlet snake; Lake county, Florida (18 April 2015). The Florida scarlet snake is a non-venomous subspecies ranging throughout the peninsula. Though they are often misidentified as being venomous coral snakes, a closer look at the head will reveal a… Continue Reading “Cemophora coccinea coccinea, 18 April 2015”
Egretta tricolor, 27 June 2022
Egretta tricolor, the Tricolored heron; Lake county, Florida (27 June 2022). The Tricolored heron is an overly abundant, energetic species throughout the whole of the Floridian peninsula and beyond. We’ll often see them loitering about the shorelines of our creeks, rivers, lakes, and, on… Continue Reading “Egretta tricolor, 27 June 2022”
Diadophis punctatus punctatus, 29 March 2014
Diadophis punctatus punctatus, the Southern ringneck snake; Lake county, Florida (29 March 2014). The Southern ringneck is a small, stealthy, most-subterranean subspecies fairly abundant in the American southeast, especially in Florida. They spend most of their time buried somewhat beneath surface detritus but can… Continue Reading “Diadophis punctatus punctatus, 29 March 2014”
Nerodia floridana, 20 June 2007
Nerodia floridana, the Florida green watersnake; Lake county, Florida (20 June 2007). The Florida green watersnake is a large, non-venomous, native species rather common throughout Florida’s freshwater habitats. It prefers to bask in grasses, reeds, and detritus matted up on open water surfaces. They’re… Continue Reading “Nerodia floridana, 20 June 2007”
Coluber constrictor priapus, 18 August 2006
Coluber contrictor priapus, the Southern black racer; Lake county, Florida (18 August 2006). Perhaps the GOAT so far as residential snakes in Florida are concerned. Southern black racers are adept at scratching out a living in the sprawling, winding neighborhoods of peninsular Florida. It’s… Continue Reading “Coluber constrictor priapus, 18 August 2006”
Eudocimus albus, 07 June 2013
Eudocimus albus, the American white ibis; Lake county, Florida (07 June 2013). What a fantastically awkward and magnificent species. If I had the creative skill needed, I’d do an edit of the kitchen scene in the first Jurassic Park movie with a couple of… Continue Reading “Eudocimus albus, 07 June 2013”
Anolis carolinensis, 03 March 2012
Anolis carolinensis, the Carolina green anole; Lake county, Florida (03 March 2012). A fiesty Carolina green anole, a male, fighting for territory. I watched this and another male battle each other for a bit, each fighting for prime real estate upon which to impress… Continue Reading “Anolis carolinensis, 03 March 2012”
Nerodia taxispilota, 06 June 2004
Nerodia taxispilota, the Brown watersnake; Lake county, Florida (06 June 2004). The Brown watersnake is the “most arboreal” non-venomous watersnake found in Florida; they often bask on limbs overhanging freshwater bodies of water. If you ever hear a story about a cottonmouth falling into… Continue Reading “Nerodia taxispilota, 06 June 2004”
floridensis 