lsmartin53's photostream  

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
Everglades National Park, Florida

I am totally captivated by the beauty of the female Anhinga's eye. It's so seldom that a female bird is prettier than the male, but I think in this case, the female wins!

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Viera Wetlands, Melbourne, FL

The hooded merganser is the smallest of the three merganser species occurring in North America.

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Viera Wetlands, Melbourne, FL

The hooded merganser is the smallest of the three merganser species occurring in North America.

Big Cypress Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger avicennia
Naples, Florida

Fox squirrels are found throughout most of Florida except in the Keys. The Big Cypress Fox Squirrel is one of three subspecies of fox squirrels in Florida. The Big Cypress Fox Squirrel, Sciurus niger avicennia, is found from the Caloosahatchee River in Lee county south and then east to the southern part of Dade county.

Contrary to two common names sometimes given to the Big Cypress Fox Squirrel -- Mangrove Fox Squirrel and Everglades Fox Squirrel -- it is not common in either mangrove or Everglades habitats. It is most common in open pinelands, live oak forests, and stands of bigger bald cypress.

The Big Cypress fox squirrel is a threatened species in the state of Florida and is most often found in southwest Florida. All Fox squirrels are protected from hunting by the state of Florida.

Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)
Everglades National Park, Florida

Purple, blue, red, yellow, and green - the American Purple Gallinule, also called a "swamp hen," is a colorful marsh bird. It is a member of the rail family and can often be seen walking on top of floating vegetation. Its extremely long toes help it distribute its weight so it can walk on lily pads without sinking. It is a medium-sized rail, 13 in in length, with big yellow feet, purple-blue plumage with a green back and wing coverts, and and white undertail coverts It has a red and yellow bill and a pale blue forehead shield.