Bahama Mockingbird

 Sunday April 18th

Northern Curly-tailed Lizard

Today I made the five hour round trip from Fort Myers to Boca Raton to twitch after the Bahama Mockingbird hanging at at Spanish River Park. This rare visitor to Florida has been a nemesis species for me, as I had dipped on finding it on several occasions in the past. But this bird was seen in the exact tree as reported by several people. And was a Lifer. A few other sightings included Painted Buntings and Palm, Cape May, Northern Parula, Black-and-White and Prairie Warblers. Nice to spot Bank Anole and Northern Curly-tailed Lizards. Lots of butterflies too including Ruddy Daggerwing.

Bahama Mockingbird

Cape May Warbler

Snakes and Things

Tuesday December 10th

Big Soft Shelled Turtle at Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

Yesterday I found myself checking out some of the habitat at Lovers Key for any Racerunner Lizards. Dipped on the lizards, had seen them at Long Key State park earlier this year. No photo.  They are so quick.

Curly tailed Lizard

But down in the Keys there are a lot of lizards to be found. Curly Tailed Lizards are everywhere, and they will pose for you.  Seems every time I return to the Keys, these invasive lizards are becoming more numerous. 

Green Iguanas are everywhere too.

A male African Agama

A male African Agama

A female African Agama

Another interesting invasive lizard is easily seen at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, are African Agamas. The males can be brightly colored and these lizards can be found sunning themselves. This location also hosts, Green Iguana, Knight Anoles, Basilisk Lizards, all invasive

Green Iguana are everywhere in south Florida

I have yet to come across a wild Nile Monitor Lizard, but master birder Eary Warren, trapped one in his back yard in Cape Coral. Defidently an unwanted invasive.  Right up there with the Burmese Python.

Green Anoles are natives, but Cuban Brown Anoles are aggressive invasive that are out competing the green.

A native Green Anole

A Large Male Brown Anole Displaying a Dorsal Crest

This Knight Anole was observed in a Mango Tree

Well what about Snakes? Have a few.

Ribbon Snake

Ron Bishop spotted a small mass of Brown Water Snakes

 sunning on some rocks at Harns Marsh

A Pair of Water Moccasins sharing a cozy spot