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What
Leatherleaf Slugs (Family Veronicellidae)Observer
vpattersonDescription
It was camouflaged so well, I thought it was another leaf. It's was found among fallen leaves about two hours after it had rained so humidity was high.
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Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)Observer
vpattersonDescription
This was unfortunately the only picture I was able to take. It was found at Lettuce Lake Park and the average temperature was 88 degrees. The only reason I believe it to be a Double-crested Cormora was a identification sign quite close to it. It did however have an orange-yellow beak but this photo does not show that.
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Long-jawed Jumping Spiders (Genus Hentzia)Observer
vpattersonDescription
This tiny jumping spider was found along the boardwalk at Lettuce Lake Park with many other spiders. He didn't seem to have any striking colors, just a grey-brown pattern presumably for camouflage.
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Cabbage Palmetto (Sabal palmetto)Observer
vpattersonDescription
This was taken at Edward Medard Park. The average temperature was approximately 85 degrees. This palm is thriving even with plenty of shade from the larger oaks that were surrounding it.
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Sailfin Catfishes (Genus Pterygoplichthys)Observer
vpattersonDescription
I first identified these as trouts but I now agree with the identifying them as armored catfish. The pattern matches and fin size match more closely to that of the catfish. Their habitat was the shallow waters at Lettuce Lake Park.
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Buren's Pyramid Ant (Dorymyrmex bureni)Observer
vpattersonDescription
One of the many ant mounds at Edward Medard Park.
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Water Spangles (Salvinia minima)Observer
vpattersonDescription
Salvinia minima are a type of fern that thrive on the surface of the water. This photo was taken at Lettuce Lake and it was interesting to note that areas of shade, like the paths directly underneath, the boardwalk lacked this blanket of water spangles.
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Peninsular Cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis)Observer
vpattersonDescription
This turtle is definitely apart of the Pseudemys genus but not certain of it's species since it's shell was almost completely covered in moss. However, as someone pointed out, it has marking along it's neck. This was taken at Lettuce Lake and the temperature was very hot, around 85 to 90 degrees.
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Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)Observer
vpattersonDescription
I am unsure if this ID is accurate but this bird had a very distinct black and white coloration to it which lead me to ID it as a Downy Woodpecker.
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Fishbone Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia)Observer
vpattersonDescription
A common ladder fern is a seedless vascular plant. This was found at Medard Park with plenty other ferns surrounding a very small body of water. It's habitat seems to get plenty of shade and rainfall.
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American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)Observer
vpattersonDescription
I have never seen the beautyberries much before but I've found they are very common in Florida's wild. They are beautifully violet in color and as far as I know, they are edible. They grow alongside many other shrubs and fern.
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Cucumberleaf Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)Observer
vpattersonDescription
Dune sunflower have bright petals and a dark center that must attract pollinators. Their leaves are cutely shaped like heart and they grow in almost a bushy form.
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Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)Observer
vpattersonDescription
One of the thousands of lizard that take residence at USF's campus. This was was tan with a slight green hue, with no defining markings, and fairly small. It was difficult placing it any further than its family of Anole.
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Four-toothed Mason Wasp (Monobia quadridens)Observer
vpattersonDescription
This wasp had a very distinct white marking near the top of its abdomen that visually matched that of the Mason Wasp.
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Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)Observer
vpattersonDescription
A Little Blue Heron in an urban area that was accompanying some egrets quite early in the afternoon.
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American Elm (Ulmus americana)Observer
vpattersonDescription
At Edward Medard Park, there are many of these oaks with giant exposed roots due to natural erosion.
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Bracket Fungi (Family Polyporaceae)Observer
vpattersonDescription
A lone bracket fungi, identified for it orange color and flat top of the fruiting body.
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Mustard Yellow Polypore (Fuscoporia gilva)Observer
vpattersonDescription
This rusty colored fungi was almost wound around the trunk of this tree trunk. It's a little more red than the photos I'm seeing for this species but it is the closest match visually.
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Southern Toad (Anaxyrus terrestris)Observer
vpattersonDescription
A medium sized toad blending in with the fallen leaves. It was found in an urban area a couple hours after rainfall.
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Skunk Vine (Paederia foetida)Observer
vpattersonDescription
Very small buds and flowers with the plum center lead me to identifying this as skunk vine. The dark leaves match this ID as well.
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American Water Frogs (Genus Lithobates)Observer
vpattersonDescription
This guy was very small with no defining markings. It is definitely part of the true frogs family and resembles mostly that of a bronze frog.
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White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)Observer
vpattersonDescription
A small flock of white Ibis, known for their white bodies and peachy pink beaks. They are often found within urban areas especially in small ponds after rain.
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Meadow Mushroom (Agaricus campestris)Observer
vpattersonDescription
Growing out of the base of some oak were a couple white fungi rather spread out. The stem attached to the tree is quite thick and a defined cap which lead me to ID it as a Meadow Mushroom.
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Fir Tussock Moth (Orgyia detrita)Observer
vpattersonDescription
This caterpillar somehow made it to the second floor of USF's Library. It is the larvae form of the White-marked Tussock Moth and appears to have black and red markings on it's primarily green body. It also had hair-like tufts coming from its body.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)Observer
vpattersonDescription
A very common honeybee and pollinator. This one was taken in a suburban area flying pollinating a shrub of spanish needles.
