Photos / Sounds
What
Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)Observer
clayton044Description
This observation is used for the deuterostome category. The brown anole is an introduced species to southern Florida but has made its way northward to parts of southern and coastal Georgia as well. Their size ranges from 5-8.5 inches with this particular one being around 6-7 inches long. This brown anole was very a very dark brownish color with black striations down the middle of its back. It also had a bright yellow/orange flange that would come out at times as well. This brown anole was found in a marshy area on a cypress tree but that can be anywhere from the wild to urban areas. The behavior of this brown anole was very alert making it hard to get close for better pictures. I was able to make this observation with the reference of: srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/anosag.htm
Photos / Sounds
What
Ferns (Class Polypodiopsida)Observer
clayton044Description
This fern falls under the seedless vascular plant observation due it using spores for reproduction instead of seeds. This fern was quite large in size compared to other plant species in the surrounding area. As shown in the picture with my hand, the width grows to be quite wider than the width of my hand. It has large leaves known as fronds which carry the reproductive roles of the plant. This fern was found in a marshy oak hammock with saturated soil from recent rainfall. I was able to identify this fern with the reference of: courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/seedless-vascular-plants/
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera)Observer
clayton044Description
This obersvation falls under the protostome category due to it being an insect. This grasshopper looks to be the eastern lubber grasshopper which is commonly found in the southeastern region of the US. It is known to be a lager grasshopper. This one was about 6cm long. This one had very distinct colors on it ranging from a yellowish color, to black striations, and a reddish color on the wings. It was found in a marshy oak hammock that was full of identifiable nymph grasshoppers of the same species. The behavior of this grasshopper was quite alert making it hard to get close to it. I was able to identify this grasshopper with the reference of: entnemdept.ufl/creatures/orn/lubber.htm
Photos / Sounds
What
White Beggarticks (Bidens alba)Observer
clayton044Description
This plant pictured is part of the seed plant observation. It is identifiable by its distinct white pedals surrounding a yellow center. It is a flowering plant which is a good indicator of it being a seed plant. The habitat this plant was found in is a marshy area in a dense oak hammock. The ground was very saturated from recent rain but this plant was in the more dry areas of the hammock. The flowering bud wasnt very big in size, maybe the size of a dime. However, the overall plant was quite big. I was able to id this species with the reference of: tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=bidens+pilosa
Photos / Sounds
What
Artist's Brackets, Reishi, and Allies (Genus Ganoderma)Observer
clayton044Description
The fungi pictured here is of a dark brown color in the middle of the organism expanding out to a lighter brown almost white color on the tip. It seem a bit large for a fungi measuring out at about 3-5 inches from edge to edge. This fungi was found in a marshy area that was very saturated just at the surface. Many other of the same fungi in the surrounding area was growing on dead oak logs. The location of this observation was at the Takomah Trail in Tampa, FL. I believe for this fungi to be the Artist's Conk based on its descriptive properties from the reference of https://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/pubs/gtr/gtr_nrs79.pdf.
@esalewski
Photos / Sounds
What
Boar (Sus scrofa)Observer
clayton044Description
Visual Description: The wild boar's physical appearance is comprised of noticeably longer black wiry type hair all over the body. The snout tends to be a bit long. Male boars have two sets of tusk coming from its mouth. The normal size of male boars can typically range anywhere from 170 to 220 pounds, while the females range anywhere from 130 to 180 pounds. Adult boars can range in length from 3 to 6 feet long.
Habitat: The wild boar is an invasive species to Florida's ecosystem. Their natural origin derives form European decent. The wild pigs found in North America were brought here by European settlers and escaped into the wild.
References: https://www.wildpiginfo.msstate.edu/history-wild-pigs.html
