Jim 🇺🇦

Great shot of a beautiful bird!

Pretty amazing

Wow. Thanks for sharing!

A blue/purple flower of the carnivorous plant, blueflower butterwort ( Pinguicula caerulea) is shown against a grassy background

For #BlueskyMonday blueflower butterwort, a #carnivorousplant found in wetlands/bogs. I feel privileged to have seen this threatened species. #bloomscrolling #wildflower #nature #nativeplant #wetlands 🌎 #bogs #eastcoastkin

Was first thing on my play list, May 4, 1970 at Kent State. It still evokes that memory. Still appropriate.

Great stuff, Obviously

My apology. Lacewing, not lace fly.

Thanks! You be more impressed to know it was done one-handed with my phone while i had a dog straining on a leash with the other hand. It took a lot of focus, so to speak.

Ever see a lichen with wheels? I just witnessed this action this morning. My guess is it’s a lace fly larva. They’re known to attach sand, exoskeletons of victims, or lichens to themselves as camo. #bugsky #insects #lichens #nature #eastcoastkin #lacefly

That’s called a nuchal bump, a secondary sex characteristic, common in some cichlid species of fish, especially in males.

I don’t know. They certainly have a healthy population. They are popular with sport fishermen. I am unaware if it has been determined if they are selectively eating invasive tilapia species.

Butterfly peacock bass (probably Cichla ocellaris) is shown against the blue shirt of the individual displaying it for a photo with a lake in the background. These fish, that are native to South America, were intentionally released by a state agency in South Florida decades ago in an attempt to control the explosive populations of invasive tilapia species.

Butterfly peacock bass intentionally introduced to South Florida decades ago in an attempt to control invasive tilapia species. This individual was released unharmed. Not my photo. #fish #wildlife #Florida #invasivespecies #Eastcoastkin 🐟

I recently experienced that, was shocked, but since then generously apply the mute setting.

There are several different hairstreaks here and they’re always entertaining to watch.

A beautiful creature

Exactly. No cute emoticons needed.

Tell me then , how do you feel about ichthyology museums?

I think you’re writing your own script here.

It's too late for South Florida now. Exotics have become a part of the environment. There are a huge numbers of fishes, reptiles and amphibians already that have self-sustaining populations. Often, in desperation, other exotics are brought in to control them

I large silvery fish is being held in the air by a person in ablue outer garment. It is an invasive clown knife fish (Chitala ornata) native to SE Asia but common in the aquarium trade. It was released into South Florida fresh waters where it has become an invasive species laying thousands of eggs each year.

Not my photo, but sent to me from South Florida. This is what happens when people release their 4" aquarium fish into the environment.This is an #invasive non-native clown knife fish from an established population in the wild now disrupting the native population. #fishyfriday #fish #nature 😥🐟 🌎

Clever!

Petals of a yellow wand mullein (Verbascum virgatum) flower are shown against a green background.

Wand mullein, a non-native plant for #YellowThu It doesn't appear on any invasive lists for Florida, although I have seen it growing in the wild in numerous places. #bloomscrolling #flower #yellow #macro 🌿 🌼

Really fun places at night

Red tubular flowers of the native vine, coral honey suckle ( Lonicera sempervirens) are shown against a leafy green background

For #redwed a hummingbird favorite, coral honeysuckle. #nativeplant #nature #bloomscrolling #wildflower #vine 🌼 🌎

Part of a job or just for fun?

Spent lots of quality time in some of those.

The dogs have realized this too. Now I have to do walks even earlier.

I never expected to stumble across them, but I guess the right conditions were present for them to thrive. It certainly was a very wet area most of the year.

The details of these creatures are awe inspiring.

I didn’t say of which planet