Below are some photos taken around the nursery of wildlife.
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Female ruby-throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris
finds the firespike Odontonema strictum irresistible. |
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Animals use a variety of tactics to make themselves less
noticeable to predators. Notice the mimicry exhibited by the hummingbird in the
photo below. She is masquerading as part of a dead palm frond.
This is like a celebrity going out incognito in old clothes without
make-up. |
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Camouflage, or, to put it into fashion terms, color
coordination, is an important technique that animals use to blend in
wherever they go.
See how the mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
(the Florida State Bird since 1927) in the photo at right is wearing a
practical, charming outfit that goes nicely with the lichen-decorated
branches of the black ironwood Krugiodendron ferreum. |
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At left is a male red-winged blackbird Agelaius
phoeniceus perched on the branch of a Brazilian Ironwood Caesalpinia
ferrea. Being somewhat fashion mavericks, with their red
epaulets, they are not concerned with blending in; their
strategy is to annoy you and get you to chase them away from their nest. |
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This little feller at left, the American alligator Alligator
missippiensis, doesn't give a hoot about
blending in at the moment, being more concerned with catching some rays. |
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At right is a Knight Anole Anolis equestris,
wearing a sensible green outfit with accessories of sunshine and shadow.
These lizards are not aggressive and will not attack you,
unless you are a cockroach or a spider. |
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At left, a newly hatched Brown Anole Anolis sagrei.
They are so cute when they're little, dressed up just like an adult! |
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What is nature without a little danger to keep you on
your toes? At right is the Florida Bark Scorpion Centruroides
gracilis. You can tell the scorpion has already passed
on and is safe to mess around with, because its tail is not raised. |
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| More residents/visitors in the future... |
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