A couple days ago, during an afternoon walk at Sawgrass Lake, I was fortunate enough to encounter a number of reptiles. None of them are particularly rare, but it is unusual to see them all in one afternoon. (Snakes especially are rare to see this time of year, as they are mostly nocturnal.)
The Daily Bucket is a regular series from the Backyard Science group. Here we talk about Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the parts that live nearby. So let us know (as close as you are comfortable) where you are and what's going on around you. What's the weather like? Seen any interesting plants, bugs or critters? Are there birds at your feeders? Deer, foxes or peahens in your yard? Seen any cool rocks or geological features? Post your observations and notes here. And photos. We like lots of photos. :)
A Five-Lined Skink. Only the females have the blue tails.
At first glance I thought this was a Garter Snake, but looking again I saw that it was thinner and the stripes looked lower on the body, so I think it is a Ribbon Snake. Ribbon snakes can be ID'd by the light spot on top of their head, but this fellow was fishing and is covered with duckweed, so I can't see. I think he had just swallowed a fish when I came upon him, and is here yawning to put his jawbones back into place.
A native Green Anole watches me warily.
A Red Eared slider in the back and a Chicken Turtle (I think--it's hard to tell when their shell is all covered with gunk) in front.
Broad-headed Skink. The red head is a male breeding signal. I didn't think Broad-heads reached as far south as Tampa Bay, but by golly there he is. :)
A male Brown Anole dewlapping at me.
A young Alligator, about a year old.