Snake Head Caterpillars

A couple days ago I was examining the leaves on our potted tangerine tree and noticed a lot of black specks on the cream colored patio surface. Hmmm...looked like frass to me (the scientific word for caterpillar poop!). I looked above the droppings for evidence of caterpillar(s) and found this interesting larvae! On first glance, it looked like the head of one of those tiny tree vipers in Costa Rica. 

I did some Googling and found out that there are several species of snake like headed caterpillars- an amazing morphological adaptation that evolved to protect them from predators. Some even mimic the striking behavior of snakes. This one turned out to be the larva of the Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), the largest butterfly in North America that is quite common in Florida. It must have laid its eggs on the leaves while the tree was outside during our lanai restoration. They are considered a pest in citrus orchards. 

The larvae mimic bird droppings, an example of biological mimicry. The later instars' thorax begins to resemble a snake's head and will adopt a striking pose so the one I found was an older larva, soon to chrysalize. Upon further examining the tree I found one more larva. I took these photos with a regular lens- wish I had used Chris's macro lens to capture the detail. Oh well, I guess this is an excuse to buy myself a macro lens for closeups as I am sure I will find many more interesting species of insects here in SW Florida!

Afternote: I found 2 more late instar stage larvae on the tangerine tree today. Decided to keep them, hoping they will chrysalize and I will have two giant swallowtails fluttering inside my screened lanai!

Tri-Color Herons

Today I took my camera on a biking photoshoot around Verandah to photograph birds. I came across this tri-colored heron in the pickerel weed over near the golf house. Notice the bright red eyes, turquoise beak, and white tuft- a beautiful bird! At one point it dove into the mud, picked up a snail, and flew toward me just in time to capture it in flight as it was just landing with the snail in its beak!

The tri-colored herons (Egretta tricolor) are much smaller than the great blues. I think the white head plume on this one is indicative of mating season. I can distinguish them from other adult herons by the white line along the front of their neck. I've seen quite a few of them around Verandah, especially among the pickerel weed.

A Blog to "Discover" My New Home

We recently sold our Maine home of of 35 years, with 22 acres, and have now officially become southwest Florida residents. It was bittersweet to leave a place I loved- a state so full of natural beauty and wildlife. To make up for my "loss",  I have decided to learn about the flora and fauna in Southwest Florida and share it with you! Our home is in a gated private community called Verandah which is only about 10 miles from the ocean as the crow flies, but situated in a more rural area around farms and undeveloped cypress woods and marshes, and bordered by the Orange River which runs into the Caloosahatchee and out into the Gulf of Mexico. One of the things I like about Verandah is we are surrounded by a preserve and have 9 miles of bike and walking trails just for residents within our community. Every day I go for a bike ride and see birds, alligators, snakes, and all kinds of plants. As I get to know my new home, I will share what I find with you. I hope you enjoy my blog and my photographs!

From our 22 acre Maine house ....

To Sabal Point Drive, Fort Myers- in the Verandah Community...

And a pool!

And a pond in the backyard with a sunset view!

And 9 miles of beautiful bike trails through a preserve, between lakes and ponds, boardwalks over the cypress swamps, and along the Orange River!