Photos / Sounds
What
Florida Bass (Micropterus salmoides)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather/Temperature:
Sunny/ 89 degrees Fahrenheit
This fish was caught in a pond next to a motorhome park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Spatterdock (Nuphar advena)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather/ Temperature:
Sun setting/ 84 degrees Fahrenheit
This plant was found in a fenced in pond on the side of the road in Tampa, FL.
This plant is characterized by its large heart shaped leaves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Two-banded Sea Star (Luidia alternata)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather/Temperature:
Sunny/ 86 degrees Fahrenheit
This starfish was found in the water at St. Andrews State Park in Panama City, Florida.
Distinguishing features of this starfish is its distinct black and white pattern.
Photos / Sounds
What
Southern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus ssp. punctatus)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/Temperature:
78 degrees Fahrenheit
This snake was found in my driveway.
Distinguishing characteristics of this snake are its black scales and small ring around its neck/base of head.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sword Ferns (Genus Nephrolepis)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature:
Cloudy/ 83 degrees Fahrenheit
This fern was found growing wildly outside of a home.
Distinguishing characteristics of this fern are its green leaves and its sword like appearance. Each branch gets smaller towards the end resembling a sword.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature:
Cloudy/ 89 degrees Fahrenheit
This tree was found on a nature trail in Lettuce Lake Park.
Distinguishing characteristics of this tree are its needle/scale like leaves and long branches.
Photos / Sounds
What
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature:
Cloudy/ 89 degrees Fahrenheit
This palmetto was found in great abundance at Lettuce Lake Park.
Distinguishing characteristics are its green palm leaves and shrubby look.
Photos / Sounds
What
Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature:
Cloudy/ 89 degrees Fahrenheit
This rabbit was found at Lettuce Lake Park.
Distinguishing characteristics are its brown/tan coat and round upright ears.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature:
Cloudy/ 89 degrees Fahrenheit
This plant was found in the lake along the boardwalk at Lettuce Lake Park.
Distinguishing characteristics are its purple flowers with blue markings and green ovate leaves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cabbage Palmetto (Sabal palmetto)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature:
Cloudy/ 89 degrees Fahrenheit
This tree was found at Lettuce Lake Park.
Distinguishing characteristics are its tall trunk, palm leaves, and palm stems.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature:
Cloudy/ 89 degrees Fahrenheit
This butterfly was found on a flower at Lettuce Lake Park.
Distinguishing characteristics are its gray wings and orange details.
Photos / Sounds
What
Joint-toothed Mosses (Class Bryopsida)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature:
Cloudy/ 89 degrees Fahrenheit
This moss was found on the ground of a walking trail in Lettuce Lake Park.
Distinguishing characteristics are its bright green color and star like shape.
Photos / Sounds
What
Seductive Entodon Moss (Entodon seductrix)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature: Cloudy/ 80 degrees Fahrenheit
This moss was found on a dead piece of wood.
A distinguishing characteristic is its bright green grassy-look.
Photos / Sounds
What
Squirrel Treefrog (Hyla squirella)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature: Partly Cloudy/ 84 degrees Fahrenheit
This frog was found on the front door to my house.
Distinguishing characteristics of this frog are its yellow eyes, its bright green color on its back and its cream/white belly.
Photos / Sounds
What
Shield Lichens, Rim Lichens, and Allies (Order Lecanorales)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature: Cloudy/ 80 degrees Fahrenheit
This lichen was found on a dead piece of wood.
A distinguishing characteristic of this lichen is its pale green color.
Photos / Sounds
What
Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature:
Cloudy and Rainy/ 80 degrees Fahrenheit
This turtle was found in the overflow of a pond in the grass.
Distinguishing characteristics of this turtle are its dark brown leathery shell, elongated head with a pointed nose, and its webbed feet.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus ArachisObserver
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature:
Cloudy and Rainy/ 80 degrees Fahrenheit
This plant was found in a pasture in several small patches around the land.
Distinguishing characteristics of this plant are its small yellow flowers and the shape of its leaves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature: Cloudy/ 75 degrees Fahreneheit
This organism was found on the back porch of my house.
Distinguishing characteristics of this organism is its tan/dark brown coloring, its pattern, and its yellow colored eyes.
Photos / Sounds
What
Giant Taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature: Sunny/ 88 degrees Fahrenheit
This plant was found on the side of a dirt road near other plants and trees.
Distinguishing characteristics of this plant are its large green leaves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pines (Genus Pinus)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature: Sunny/ 88 degrees Fahrenheit
This pine tree is in an open pasture.
Distinguishing characteristics of this pine tree are its pinecones, bark, and pine needles.
Photos / Sounds
What
Southern Green-striped Grasshopper (Chortophaga australior)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature: Sunny/ 88 degrees Fahrenheit
This grasshopper was found in the grass/dirt area near a gate.
Distinguishing characteristics of this grasshopper are its green and brown colorings as well as its wings.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/Temperature: Sunny/Partly Cloudy/ 84 degrees Fahrenheit
These sandhill cranes were grazing the land near the road in a country club and digging their bills into the ground to search for insects.
Distinguishing characteristics of the sandhill crane are its gray/tan body feathers, its tall body, and its red crown patch.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature: Sunny/ Partly Cloudy/ 84 degrees Fahrenheit
This snake was founding slithering in the grass near my house. Probably looking for some source of food such as a birds nest.
Distinguishing features of this snake are its long, slender body and its coloring with stripes along its body.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus CnidoscolusObserver
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature: Cloudy/ 73 degrees Fahrenheit
This plant was found in an open pasture.
Distinguishing characteristics are its 5 petal tubular flowers, bristly seed capsules, and green prickly leaves that are palmately divided.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mexican Prickly Poppy (Argemone mexicana)Observer
kaitlinwilkesDescription
Weather Conditions/ Temperature: Cloudy/ 73 degrees Fahrenheit
Distinguishing characteristics of this plant is it's white/green leaves that are smooth on top, but prickly around the edges, and its yellow flower.
