May 8, 2011 - Other Florida Photos
Read MoreThese Suwannee Cooters were sunning themselves on a log at Wakulla Springs State Park near Tallahassee, Florida. They don’t seem to mind being close together and can sometimes be found stacked on top of each other. Cooters can be up to 16” across. For the most part they are found only in Florida but their range does extend up the Suwannee River into southern Georgia. Suwanee Cooters are on the Species of Special Concern list in Florida.
The endangered Snowy Plover is a tiny shorebird only 6-7” long. Its pale plumage blends so well with the dry sand that it is often overlooked. This photo was taken at St. George Island State Park where Snowy Plovers are year-round residents. Because the black marks on the head and neck are so dark, it seems likely that this bird already has its breeding plumage.
It’s usually difficult to get close enough to a Belted Kingfisher to take a decent picture so I was happy that this one landed near me at St. Joe Peninsula State Park. Kingfishers are one of the few species in which the female is more colorful than the male. This is a female; a male would not have the rusty colored spots on the breast and sides. Belted Kingfishers are found over most of North America in one season or another.
Here’s a Softshell Turtle basking on the river bank at Wakulla Springs State Park. The shell is soft and leathery but it does have a layer of bone under the center of it. This might seem to make the turtle vulnerable, but it can easily defend itself with a pair of strong mandibles that are capable of inflicting painful bites.
Lyle Lauber
on May 8, 2011It's always an education to see and read your comments on your great photos. Thank you.