Author Archives: Janson Jones

About Janson Jones

A composition instructor at Valdosta State University. Raised in Florida, lived in Alaska, and looks for wildlife just about everywhere in-between.

Libellula axilena (Bar-winged Skimmer) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 16 June 2013

Libellula axilena, the Bar-winged skimmer (male), photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (16 June 2013). NOTE: This identification was confirmed by bugguide.net on Tuesday 18 June 2013. I’m fairly sure this is a male Bar-winged skimmer, Libellula axilena (see note above). The … Continue reading

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Libellula incesta (Slaty Skimmer, Female) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 16 June 2013

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Libellula incesta, the Slaty skimmer (female), photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (16 June 2013). This is, I do believe, a female Slaty skimmer (Libellula incesta) absolutely pulverizing a Two-lined spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta). Seriously, the spittlebug was absolutely destroyed by this … Continue reading

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Plathemis lydia (Common Whitetail) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 16 June 2013

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Plathemis lydia, the Common whitetail (male), photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (16 June 2013). Hey, it’s a brand-spanking new species for Dust Tracks! Though I’m sure it’s not the first time I’ve seen the species, this is the first photograph … Continue reading

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Libellula vibrans (Great Blue Skimmer?) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 13 June 2013

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Libellula vibrans, the Great blue skimmer, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (13 June 2013). This is an identification I’m not entirely sure about. I *think* this is a Great blue skimmer, but I’m not positive. The face certainly appears white … Continue reading

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Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 16 June 2013

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Pachydiplax longipennis, Blue dasher (female or immature male), photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (16 June 2013). Another Blue dasher? Yup. Another Blue dasher! But don’t worry, there’s plenty more dragonflies to come — above and beyond the Blue dasher. I … Continue reading

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Chrysopidae Larva (Green Lacewing) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 12 June 2013.

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Unidentified species of Family Chrysopidae, a Green lacewing larva, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (12 June 2013). Files under Chrysopidae Larva. If you look really, really closely at the round piece o’ crud in the photograph above, you’ll see the … Continue reading

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Hemerobiidae Larva (Brown Lacewing) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 14 May 2013.

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Centered and focused organism: Unidentified species of Family Hemerobiidae, the Brown lacewing, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (14 May 2013).  Filed under Hemerobiidae Larva. Oh yeah, we’re getting into some unfamiliar and new territory with this and the next post. … Continue reading

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Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher, “Tween” Male) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 12 June 2013

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Pachydiplax longipennis, Blue dasher (Immature male), photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (12 June 2013). In our last post, we checked out a female Blue dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis. Here we’re turning our attention to an immature male Blue dasher. After checking … Continue reading

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Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher, female) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 09 June 2013

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Pachydiplax longipennis, the Blue dasher (female), photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (09 June 2013). As summer thickens and the cicadas grow louder and louder in the trees, we’re seeing a solid spike in dragonfly activity in our Valdosta backyard. Lots … Continue reading

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Neocicada hieroglyphica (Hieroglyphic Cicada) in Valdosta, Georgia; 09 June 2013

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Neocicada hieroglyphica, the Hieroglyphic cicada, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (10 June 2013). Down on the Florida/Georgia border, we’re a bit out of range from the much-talked-about 17-year cicada rush going on further to our north. We don’t have swarms of … Continue reading

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The Kakakairos of the Most Unprepared, featuring a Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, northeast of Valdosta, Georgia!

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Crotalus horridus, the Timber rattlesnake, photographed in Lanier county, Georgia (12 June 2012). Cue Etta James: At laaaaast! Indeed, I have finally stumbled across a wild (and living) Timber rattlesnake! For some reason or another, I simply haven’t come across … Continue reading

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Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator) at Trimble Park, Florida; 07 June 2013

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Alligator mississippiensis, the American alligator, photographed in Orange county, Florida (07 June 2013). This is the 21st post on Dust Tracks featuring an American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). I’m not sure if I have much more to say about them, short … Continue reading

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Gastrophryne carolinensis (Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad) in Mount Dora, Florida; 07 June 2013

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Gastrophryne carolinensis, the Eastern narrow-mouthed toad, photographed in Lake county, Florida (07 June 2013). This is Gastrophryne carolinensis, the Eastern narrow-mouthed toad, and it is awesome. I consider myself a card-carrying and bonafide member of the Gastrophryne Fan Club, if such a … Continue reading

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Osteopilus septentrionalis (Cuban Treefrog) in Mount Dora, Florida; 06 June 2013

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Osteopilus septentrionalis, the Cuban treefrog, photographed in Lake county, Florida (06 June 2013). A few years back, the Floridian peninsula suffered an unusually bitter and long winter. Much of the peninsula, you see, isn’t really adapted to deal with more … Continue reading

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Aramus guarauna (Limpkin) at Trimble Park, Florida; 07 June 2013

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Aramus guarauna, the Limpkin, photographed in Orange county, Florida (07 June 2013). Though this is the first Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) I’ve posted on Dust Tracks, it’s certainly not the first Limpkin I’ve seen and/or photographed. I’ve seen plenty of Limpkins … Continue reading

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Dendrocygna autumnalis (Black-bellied Whistling Duck) at Trimble Park, Florida; 07 June 2013

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Dendrocygna autumnalis, the Black-bellied whistling duck, photographed in Orange county, Florida (07 June 2013). First, I may be incorrect with my identification. I am not a master birder and the closest identification I could find was the Black-bellied whistling duck, Dendrocygna … Continue reading

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Eudocimus albus (White Ibis) at Trimble Park, Florida; 07 June 2013

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Eudocimus albus, the White ibis, photographed in Orange county, Florida (07 June 2013). To quote Tom Petty: Oh my my, oh hell yes! This is a rather magnificent and somewhat tolerant and cautiously curious American white ibis, Eudocimus albus. The … Continue reading

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Anaxyrus terrestris (Southern Toads, toadlets) at Grand Bay WMA, Georgia; 14 May 2013

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Anaxyrus terrestris, the Southern toad (toadlet), photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (14 May 2013). So, you probably know what a toad looks like. It’s like a dry, fat, warty frog. And you probably know what a tadpole looks like. It’s … Continue reading

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Castaways Against Cancer 2013!

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As I approach the I’m-Still-Here milestone of 40 years of age, I sometimes find myself increasingly cynical of the society around me. On my hiking trips, I frequently encounter people throwing sticks and rocks at snakes, frogs, birds, or whatever … Continue reading

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Tettigoniidae Nymph (Possibly Scudderia, Bush Katydid) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia

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Possibly Scudderia sp., Bush katydid nymph, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (03 June 2013); Filed under Tettigoniidae Nymphs. This lovely little jewel of an arthropod is a nymph-stage member of Family Tettigoniidae. In other words, it’s a katydid. An adorably … Continue reading

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Prionus imbricornis (Tile-horned Prionus) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 03 June 2013

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Prionus imbricornis, the Tile-horned prionus, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (03 June 2013). Check out this thunderous can of arthropic awesomeness! Courtesy an identification from the good folks at bugguide.net, this is Prionus impricornis — the Tile-horned prionus. It is, … Continue reading

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Tropical Storm Andrea

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Greetings from Tropical Storm Andrea! I’m in Mt. Dora, Florida right now, writing this post on my iPad. I came down to help my folks (my grandmother suffered a terrible neck injury this past week). Mumpower and Kid A are … Continue reading

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Peucetia viridans (Green Lynx Spider) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 03 June 2013

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Peucetia viridans, The Green lynx spider, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (03 June 2013). This was a happy discovery! I’ve seen many Green lynx spiders (Peucetia viridans) throughout the years, but this is the first one I’ve seen since I … Continue reading

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Pantherophis spiloides (Gray Rat Snake) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 02 June 2013

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Pantherophis spiloides, the Gray rat snake, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (02 June 2013). Most nights, I retreat to the backyard at some point with my headlamp, checking for new arthropods and other critters of interest. Since moving to north … Continue reading

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Cemophora coccinea copei (Northern Scarlet Snake, Juvenile) at Grand Bay WMA, Georgia; 28 May 2013

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Cemophora coccinea copei, the Northern scarlet snake, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (28 May 2013). This little strip of cuteness is a juvenile Northern scarlet snake, Cemophora coccinea copei. The Scarlet snake is one of several Coral snake mimics in … Continue reading

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Coluber constrictor priapus (Southern Black Racer) at Grand Bay WMA, Georgia; 28 May 2013

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Coluber constrictor priapus, the Southern black racer, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (28 May 2013). A simple post for this Sunday… Here are five photographs of a rather sweet Southern black racer, Coluber constrictor priapus, discovered at the Grand Bay … Continue reading

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Nerodia fasciata fasciata (Southern Banded Watersnake) at Grand Bay WMA, Georgia; 28 May 2013

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Nerodia fasciata fasciata, the Southern banded watersnake, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (28 May 2013). Summer is certainly coming on strong in the American southeast. In a way, we skipped Spring; it’s hot out there! At Grand Bay, just northeast … Continue reading

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Scincella lateralis (Ground Skink) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 10 May 2013

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Scincella lateralis, the Ground skink, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (10 May 2013). There’s a lot to like about this little scamper. This is a Ground skink, Scincella lateralis, one of the tiniest reptiles of North America. This is one … Continue reading

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Anolis carolinensis (Carolina Green Anole) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 09 May 2013

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Anolis carolinensis, the Carolina green anole, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (09 May 2013). My love of Carolina green anoles runs long and deep. For as long as I can remember, they’ve always been in my life. As a wee … Continue reading

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Acanthocephala declivis (Giant Leaf-footed Bug) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 13 April 2013

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Acanthocephala declivis, the Giant leaf-footed bug, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (13 April 2013). In our last post, we saw a number of Leaf-footed bugs (Acanthocephala terminalis) goin’ at it in the trees behind our house last month. They were … Continue reading

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Acanthocephala terminalis (Leaf-footed Bug) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 12 April 2013

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Acanthocephala terminalis, the Leaf-footed bug, photographed in Lowndes county, Geogia (12 April 2013). Oh boy, this is a common little fright throughout eastern North America, though the “fright” level is a bit overblown. It’s just a large, tough-lookin’ bug. This … Continue reading

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Loxa flavicollis (Spined Green Stink Bug) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 12 April 2013

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Loxa flavicollis, the Spined green stink bug, photographed in Lowndes county, Geogia (12 April 2013). At first glimpse, you may think I’m repeating myself with this post. It does, after all, look a lot like the green stink bug I … Continue reading

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Chinavia hilaris (Green Stink Bug) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 12 April 2013

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Chinavia hilaris, the Green stink bug, photographed in Lowndes county, Geogia (12 April 2013). This tiny little backyard-Hulk is Chinavia hilaris, the Green stink bug. It’s a member of Family Pentatomidae, so-named for their five-part, segmented “backs.” Both stinkbugs and … Continue reading

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Hypoprepia fucosa (Painted Lichen Moth) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 09 May 2013

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Hypoprepia fucosa, the Painted lichen moth, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (09 May 2013). We’re going to be in some seriously GREEN arthropodic territory tomorrow, so let’s wrap up today with a slice of pumpkin orange, shall we? This is, … Continue reading

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Anomala undulata (Shining Leaf Chafer) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 12 April 2013

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Anomala undulata, the Shining leaf chafer, photographed in Lowndes county, Geogia (12 April 2013). Ah, yes. Scarab beetles! May beetles to some, June bugs to others — but Scarabs all! This is the fourth species member of Family Scarabaeidae we’ve … Continue reading

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Banksiola crotchi (Crotchi Casemaker Caddisfly?) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 12 April 2013

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Banksiola crotchi, the Crotchi casemaker caddisfly, photographed in Lowndes county, Geogia (12 April 2013). The first thing I should note on this post is that I am not positive of the species-level identification. Not at all and not one bit. … Continue reading

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Anisota virginiensis (Pink-striped Oakworm Moth) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 18 April 2013

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Anisota virginiensis, the Pink-striped oakworm moth, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (18 April 2013). If I was an exceptionally clever and creative writer, I’d draw some kind of cool connection between this Pink-striped oakworm, Anisota virginiensis, and the Memorial Day … Continue reading

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Polistes bahamensis (Bahaman Paper Wasp) at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area, Florida; 28 April 2013

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Polistes bahamensis, the Bahaman paper wasp, photographed in Lake county, Florida (28 April 2013). This is a fun little spotting. These are Bahaman paper wasps, Polistes bahamensis, photographed at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area in Lake county, Florida. I had to … Continue reading

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Crotaphytus collaris (Eastern Collared Lizard) in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma; 16 June 2004

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Crotaphytus collaris, the Eastern collared lizard, photographed in Comanche county, Oklahoma (16 June 2004). We’ve taken a good chunk of the week off here at Dust Tracks, but we’re starting to shift back into gear. This past week was, of … Continue reading

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Reflecting on Moore, Oklahoma and Tornadoes: 1999, 2003, 2013

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These photographs were taken on 08 May 2003, shortly after an F3 tornado passed through Moore, Oklahoma, eventually peaking as an F4 near Interstate 240. At the time, my wife and I lived in Norman, Oklahoma — a few short … Continue reading

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Acanthocephala declivis (Giant Leaf-footed Bug) in Residential Mt. Dora, Florida; 27 April 2013

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Acanthocephala declivis, the Giant Leaf-footed bug, photographed in Lake county, Florida (27 April 2013). Say hello, again. to the Giant leaf-footed bug, Acanthocephala declivis! We’ve had a few posts dealing with this impressive arthropod over the years, but these photos … Continue reading

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Anomala marginata (Shiny Leaf Chafer) in Residential Mt. Dora, Florida; 27 April 2013

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Anomala marginata, the Shiny leaf chafer, photographed in Lake county, Florida (27 April 2013). Have you ever been chilling out on a back patio somewhere, likely at night, on a patio perhaps, drinking a beer, enjoying the plenty of night, … Continue reading

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Geolycosa sp. (Burrowing Wolf Spider, unconfirmed) in Residential Mount Dora, Florida; 27 April 2013

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Geolycosa sp., the Burrowing wolf spider (not confirmed), photographed in Lake county, Florida (27 April 2013). Here’s a fun little activity for you Floridians readers out there: Go outside to a residential lawn anytime during the night. Wait until it’s … Continue reading

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Kid A and the Coluber constrictor priapus (Southern Black Racer) in Mount Dora, Florida; 26 April 2013

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Coluber constrictor priapus, the Southern black racer, photographed in Lake county, Florida (26 April 2013). This was a fun little encounter. We were all in Mount Dora visiting Kid A’s Florida Grandfolks. Lots of snacking, lots of pool time, and … Continue reading

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Anolis sagrei (Cuban brown anole) in Residential Mount Dora, Florida; 27 April 2013

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Anolis sagrei, the Cuban brown anole, photographed in Lake county, Florida (27 April 2013). I know it’s already been like, what, a week and a half since I last posted about anoles… but, you know how it goes. A week … Continue reading

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Osteopilus septentrionalis (Cuban Treefrogs) in Residential Mount Dora, Florida; 27 April 2013

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Osteopilus septentrionalis, the Cuban treefrog, photographed in Lake county, Florida (27 April 2013). On Dust Tracks, we’re loitering about a bit in central Florida. It’s hard not to; the region is saturated with awesome organism action. Here we have a … Continue reading

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Gymnetis caseyi (Harlequin Flower Beetle) in Residential Mount Dora, Florida; 27 April 2013

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Gymnetis caseyi, the Harlequin flower beetle, photographed in Lake county, Florida (27 April 2013). Text So, yeah, this is pretty much the most awesome beetle I’ve ever seen. This is a Harlequin flower beetle, Gymnetis caseyi. It ranges along the edge … Continue reading

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Hyla cinerea (American Green Treefrog) and Hyla squirella (Squirrel Treefrog) in Residential Valdosta, Georgia; 13 May 2013

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Hyla cinerea, the American green treefrog (left), and Hyla squirella, the Squirrel treefrog (right), photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (13 May 2013). In the two years we’ve lived just north of Valdosta, Georgia, we’ve had a good number of American … Continue reading

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Opheodrys aestivus (Rough Green Snake) at Grand Bay WMA, Georgia; 13 May 2013

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Opheodrys aestivus, the Rough green snake, photographed in Lowndes county, Georgia (13 May 2013). Hot damn, I’ve been itching to photograph a Rough green snake for quite some time! This has been one of my “Holy Grail” snakes since moving … Continue reading

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Concerning Egrets, Herons, and Ibis at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area, Florida; 28 April 2013

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Egretta thula, the Snowy egret, photographed in Lake county, Florida (28 April 2013). This post presents a gaggle of egrets, herons, and ibis spotted at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area in Lake county Florida on 28 April 2013. For the most … Continue reading

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