Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
T2K
Posts: 34
Joined: June 15th, 2010, 10:36 pm
Location: Homestead, FL

Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by T2K »

Hello All,

My name is Trey, and I although I have been searching for reptiles and amphibians for quite some time, I just recently acquired a camera and just recently started to photograph my finds in the field. Similarly, I have frequented this forum for a long time, but haven’t really shared much. So here it goes!

I have lived in Florida for five years, and have recently moved south from the Tampa Bay area after receiving a job working mainly in Everglades National Park. It is easy to mesh into the South Florida network, there are a lot of good herpers in Florida, most of which are great people as well. Every outing, regardless of our findings, has been fun, mostly due to the company. I have decided to post photographs in a somewhat chronological order, starting with the winter of ‘09/’10 and early Spring ‘10. Below are some of the encounters that occurred during this time.

For me, Coluber, Nerodia, Thamnophis, and Agkistrodon are the most commonly encountered serpents. After that comes Pantherophis, Sistrurus, and Cemophora.


Image
Coluber constrictor – What is a herping trip without one?


Image
Diadophis punctatus


Image
Nerodia fasciata


Image
Sistrurus miliarius


Image
Pantherophis alleghaniensis


Image
Pantherophis guttuta – On a few occasions, I have found snakes by investigating rodent in distress sounds, and it usually makes for an exciting find. This corn snake had just captured a rodent. Fortuitously, I had enough time to grab my camera and take a few shots, just as the rodent was disappearing.


Image
Pantherophis obsoletus

Image
Pantherophis obsoletus – While I do not like to pester snakes, this snake was full of gumption and I decided to try and get some strike images. After a short time, I had lost a lot of blood, and was satisfied with the results. The blur is a nice effect, but I was really gunning for a freeze shot, so next time I will use flash and a higher shutter speed.

The American Alligator, Pseumemys sp. turtles, and Hyla cinerea are commonly seen as well.


Image
Alligator mississippiensis


Image
Pseudemys nelsoni


Image
Hyla Cinerea

I also enjoy looking for birds. Here are some commonly seen Florida avians.


Image
Double Crested Cormorant


Image
Anhinga


Image
Sora Rail


Image
Loggerhead Shrike


Image
Green Heron


Image
Swallowtail Kites


Image
Bald Eagle

Every so often, I take trips to Central Florida or around Lake O. I have been fortunate enough to search with many great forum members and fellow outdoors enthusiasts, such as, Mike, Stu, Ed, Chris, Tim, Lloyd, and Josh, to name a few. Central Florida offers an escape from the south, with a great change of scenery, as well as some reptile and amphibian diversity that we do not have or do not commonly find at the tip of the Peninsula.


Image
Masticophis flagellum


Image
Lithobates capito


Image
Sceloporus woodi – This lizard was found lounging on an old coffee can.


Image
Eumeces egregius

It seems easier to turn up Lampropeltis elapsoides in Central Florida than in South Florida. On one trip a friend and I were lucky enough to find two.


Image
Lampropeltis traingulum


Image
Lampropeltis Triangulum

Additionally, the scrub habitat is home to Florida’s only endemic bird.


Image
Florida Scrub jay.

Moving away from scrub, and more towards agricultural fields, one can usually turn up a Lampropeltis getula or two.


Image
Lampropeltis getula


Image
Lampropeltis getula

Primarily in the urban areas of South Florida, exotics abound. You can go on a trip around the world in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with dozens of species of lizards from Central America, South America, Africa, and Asia.

Iguanas are ever-present in the city, especially near canals.


Image
Iguana iguana


Image
Iguana iguana


In many places there are Ctenosaurs as well


Image
Ctenosaura similis

While, not nearly as ubiquitous as Anolis sagrei, Anolis equestris can still be found readily and over a very large range. Other exotic anole species are less prevalent.


Image
Anolis equestris


Image
Anolis porcatus


Image
Anolis garmani

Agama agama can be very abundant at certain locales.


Image
Agama agama


Image
Agama agama - A much more attractive one than the above example.

Exotic birds are widespread as well.


Image
Mandarin Duck


Image
Peafowl


Image
Mute Swan


Image
Egyptian Goose

In the general everglades area there are many animals which can be seen fairly often, but which require exuding a little effort and targeting specific areas.


Image
Terrapene carolinensis


Image
Crotalus adamanteus


Image
Crotalus adamanteus

This rattlesnake was spotted alongside a road.


Image
Crotalus adamanteus – En Situ


Image
Crotalus adamanteus – As I approached it perked up a little.

Unfortunately, Pythons can be found regularly as well. I have found them at locations 50 miles apart or
so, and just about everywhere in between.


Image
Python molurus


Image
Python molurus

I have noticed that some pythons can be quite foolish.


Image
Python molurus – This one was caught in a prescribed burn. It was less than a meter away from a ditch filled with water.



Image
Python molurus – This snake was run over by a brush cutter. You can see the edge that was cut going across the photo, and the animal’s basking site in the background. It was inches away from life.

Here are some photos of the not so regular birds.


Image
Wood Stork – After I put away my camera, this bird plucked an approximately 12” gar out of the water.


Image
Wood Duck

In closing, I will finish with some of my favorite finds from last winter and early spring.


Image
Lampropeltis getula – This kingsnake was found miles from any paved road, and was a nice surprise at the time.


Image
Micrurus fulvius – In the winter of ’09 I was fortunate to see my first coral snake, however, I was not toting my camera at the time. This dandy was found by Chris G., and knowing that I was in the area at the time, he called me over to snap a few shots.


Image
Micrurus fulvius


Image
Smooth Billed Ani – Anis were once common in South Florida in past years. Now they are fairly rare. I was happy to knock this one off the list. This bird could be found in the same place for a long time and was very approachable.



Thanks for reading and looking at my photographs. Soon to come, parts 2 and 3, Late Spring/Early Summer ’10, and Late Summer/Fall ’10.


-Trey
User avatar
Gary2sons
Posts: 297
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:44 pm
Location: Camden County, Missouri

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Gary2sons »

Great post and pics as well! :thumb:

So much to see down there with so much diversity.

Also thought that you had posted pics before. Didn't you have the Frank Zappa avatar earlier? That was one that just seemed to stand out for some reason!

Gary
User avatar
Josh Holbrook
Posts: 2196
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:11 am
Location: Western North Carolina
Contact:

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Josh Holbrook »

I love seeing 'dem south Florida posts. Keep it up Trey - I'm looking forward to P II and III.
ColdBloodedHerps
Posts: 89
Joined: November 14th, 2010, 3:36 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by ColdBloodedHerps »

Sweet pics man! Sounds like a awesome place. I hope I'll be herping there in the near future. :D
User avatar
Jason Thullbery
Posts: 52
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 8:54 am
Location: Pompano Beach, FL

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Jason Thullbery »

That might be the nicest coral I've ever seen. Of course Chris G found it :roll:
User avatar
T2K
Posts: 34
Joined: June 15th, 2010, 10:36 pm
Location: Homestead, FL

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by T2K »

Gary2sons wrote:Great post and pics as well! :thumb:

So much to see down there with so much diversity.

Also thought that you had posted pics before. Didn't you have the Frank Zappa avatar earlier? That was one that just seemed to stand out for some reason!

Gary


Yep that was me, I are what I is. I have posted pictures before, but nothing with a lot of substance.
User avatar
Josh Holbrook
Posts: 2196
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:11 am
Location: Western North Carolina
Contact:

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Josh Holbrook »

T2K wrote:I have posted pictures before, but nothing with a lot of substance.
Amoebas?
User avatar
Tim Borski
Posts: 1855
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:28 am
Location: FL Keys
Contact:

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Tim Borski »

I see you're making good use of your camera.
I really like the Sora and Ani. I see them (Ani) quite frequently in Broward.

Is there a story behind the Gopher?
User avatar
BlueEyezLatino
Posts: 19
Joined: December 2nd, 2010, 9:21 pm
Location: Miami, Fl

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by BlueEyezLatino »

Jason Thullbery wrote:That might be the nicest coral I've ever seen. Of course Chris G found it :roll:
Chris G and Danny. (cough cough)
User avatar
T2K
Posts: 34
Joined: June 15th, 2010, 10:36 pm
Location: Homestead, FL

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by T2K »

BlueEyezLatino wrote: Chris G and Danny. (cough cough)

You know it! Sorry Danny, I didn't know if you were still a FHF member or not.

Tim, I think the gopher was under AC.
User avatar
muskiemagnet
Posts: 1253
Joined: June 11th, 2010, 8:43 am
Location: kaukauna, wi

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by muskiemagnet »

sweet scarlet. white bands rock. is that a central thing, or are both colors present? i got one out of sarasota once and the bands were white. most other pics i see are yellow from the state.

-ben
User avatar
T2K
Posts: 34
Joined: June 15th, 2010, 10:36 pm
Location: Homestead, FL

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by T2K »

muskiemagnet wrote:sweet scarlet. white bands rock. is that a central thing, or are both colors present? i got one out of sarasota once and the bands were white. most other pics i see are yellow from the state.

-ben

I don't know. I have only found two in Central Florida, and they both had white bands. Every other SK I have seen has been in SFL and has had yellow bands.
User avatar
Ross Padilla
Posts: 2666
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 6:29 pm
Location: I love L.A.
Contact:

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Ross Padilla »

Nice looking Fl kings. Great post. :thumb:
User avatar
Knightkrawler5
Posts: 257
Joined: June 8th, 2010, 6:54 pm
Location: Milwaukee, WI

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Knightkrawler5 »

Finally you are sharing your finds! I'm looking forward to your next few posts. I am definitely jealous you can still just find stuff everyday while I am freezing my *** off up here in Milwaukee. Its time for me to come back down for a visit!
Chris Ivins
Posts: 95
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 1:50 pm

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Chris Ivins »

Josh must have not been with you on the Gopher find....LOL
User avatar
JakeScott
Posts: 690
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:26 pm
Location: Gainesville, FL
Contact:

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by JakeScott »

That was a great post, and what made it even better is that you had capito in it!
I rarely get to see swallowtails when they are roosting, that is a cool thing to see.

-Jake Scott
User avatar
Christopher
Posts: 140
Joined: June 22nd, 2010, 8:53 pm
Location: SFL
Contact:

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Christopher »

Great post Trey, good to see you finally sharing some of your great finds! I really like that big Fl king. Post up the other parts!
Lloyd Heilbrunn
Posts: 285
Joined: June 9th, 2010, 8:15 pm
Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Lloyd Heilbrunn »

Very nice, Trey!
User avatar
T2K
Posts: 34
Joined: June 15th, 2010, 10:36 pm
Location: Homestead, FL

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by T2K »

Sorry, pics were down - fixed!

Jake - The SWKs would perch in the same tree every morning for about a week. Other than that, I have only seen them on the wing.

Everyone else, thanks for the compliments!


-Trey
User avatar
gbin
Posts: 2292
Joined: June 10th, 2010, 4:28 pm

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by gbin »

T2K wrote:... I have only found two [scarlet kings] in Central Florida, and they both had white bands. Every other SK I have seen has been in SFL and has had yellow bands.
Were those two snakes very small/young? The pale bands on a scarlet king tend to yellow with increasing size/age.

Out of curiosity, Trey, how far south in FL have you seen the species?

Greatly enjoyed the show! :thumb:

Gerry
User avatar
T2K
Posts: 34
Joined: June 15th, 2010, 10:36 pm
Location: Homestead, FL

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by T2K »

gbin wrote:Were those two snakes very small/young? The pale bands on a scarlet king tend to yellow with increasing size/age.

Out of curiosity, Trey, how far south in FL have you seen the species?

Greatly enjoyed the show! :thumb:

Gerry
Gerry,

Those two SKs were about 12-15" long, and I have seen them just about as far south on the penisula as you can go.

-Trey
User avatar
Josh Holbrook
Posts: 2196
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:11 am
Location: Western North Carolina
Contact:

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Josh Holbrook »

gbin wrote: Were those two snakes very small/young? The pale bands on a scarlet king tend to yellow with increasing size/age.
Yeah, from the number of SKs I've seen (several dozen); the more white colors tend to be a juvenile thing.
User avatar
Fundad
Posts: 5721
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:11 am
Location: Los Angeles County
Contact:

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by Fundad »

Thanks for the tour through s Florida..

Very Nice :thumb:

Fundad
User avatar
FloridaSerpent
Posts: 85
Joined: October 18th, 2014, 12:12 pm
Location: South Florida

Re: Mostly South Florida... Mostly. (1 of 3)

Post by FloridaSerpent »

Awesome post. Really liked the rare birds as well as the exotic lizards, wish I knew some spots for some of those anoles and agamas
Post Reply