Observaciones de fuentes_t_16

The lizard observed appeared to be approximately 5.5 inches in size with a brown colored body with whiteish patterning on the back. Additionally, a white line was visible on the center of the back as well as a tail that appeared laterally compressed. The lizard was observed in a turban area near a preserve with low shrubbery and widely dispersed pine trees. The lizard was found 4 feet above ground. The weather was warm at about 84 degrees Fahrenheit on a sunny day.

The following sources were used in order to aid in my identification:
https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/anosag.htm
https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/107830
http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Anolis&species=sagrei

From the sources above, Brown Anoles are characteristically between "5-8.5 in" in length and "brown to grayish in color, generally with whiteish or yellowish patterning on the back." They have tails that are "laterally compressed" and the females have a "white line down the center of the back." They are usually found "on the ground or in low vegetation" and "thrive in almost any habitat and are often abundant in suburban or even urban areas." The information gathering from these sources are conducive with my description as the lizard was observed in a suburban area and had a white line down the back indicating it is a female. Furthermore, Brown Anoles are geographically distributed worldwide, as described in the sources, but are commonly dispersed in Asia (Taiwan), North America (Carribean, southern states of the US, and Central America), Oceania (Guam), and in some parts of South America such as Brazil and Ecuador.

The insect observed appeared to about 1.5 inches in size with solid black wings and a metallic blue body. The insect was observed in a well-lit area, near a small stream with dense, surrounding vegetation. It was a sunny day with the temperature of about 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

The following sources were used in order to aid in my identification:
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/odonata/Calopteryx_maculata.htm
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Ebony-Jewelwing-Damselfly
https://bugguide.net/node/view/601

From the sources above, Ebony Jewelwings are about "1.52 in to 2.22 in" in size and the males have wings that are "solid black" and bodies that are "metallic green or bluish." Ebony Jewelwings are often "encountered around shaded freshwater streams with dense vegetation." Additionally, "adults often perch on low shrubbery in sun-lit openings in forest canopy." The information gathered from these sources appear to be conducive with the description of the insect observed, indicating that the insect observed is a male Ebony Jewelwing. Furthermore, Ebony Jewelwings are geographically distributed in the "eastern two-thirds of the US and eastern half of Canada" meaning that that they can be found all the way north to Canada "to Florida in the south and as far west as Wisconsin and Texas."

The lichen observed in the photo appeared to be about 6 inches in length and 2 inches in width. The lichen had a red central area that extended into a white/light-green colored area that was surrounded by a red rim. The lichen was observed growing on the side of a tree as a crust-like growth. The lichen was in an open swamp area with a lot of exposed sunlight visible. The weather was sunny and temperate at about 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

The following sources were used in order to aid in my identification:
https://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/dec2006.html
https://majikphil.blogspot.com/2017/12/christmas-lichen.html
http://friendslaarb.org/tree/christmas-lichen

From the sources above, lichens of this type are usually a "red and green color" with the "red color that encircles the thallus of the lichen." The "older, central region is covered with red, spherical to cylindrical granule" which move outwards into designated zones of color that is first "gray-green, the second white, and finally a bright red cottony rim." These types of lichen appear as a "crust-like growth on the tree's back" and are typically "found on the sides of trees in open areas that get a lot of sunlight" such as "open woods and swamps." The information from these sources are conducive with the description of the lichen observed indicating that the lichen observed is a Cryptothecia rubrocincta or Christmas Lichen. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of this type of lichen are found on the "Gulf Coast of the United States, down through Mexico and Central America and into the tropics of South America." They are also found "on the coastal plain of Florida through North Carolina."

The alligator that was observed in this photo, appeared to be approximately 5 feet with an armored body with visible thick scales. The alligator had a dark gray/green body with a rounded body, no visible leges as they were underwater, and a flat tail. Additionally, eyes were visible at the top of the head. The alligator was observed in a fresh-water marsh on sunny day with a temperature of about 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

The following websites were used to aid in my identification:
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/american-alligator
https://defenders.org/wildlife/american-crocodile-and-alligator
https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/americanalligator.htm#3

From the sources above, American Alligators have an "armored body with thick scales" and "long, rounded snouts." American Alligators have "large, dark, slightly rounded body and thick limbs" with a "gray-green or olive-green" coloring as well as a "muscular, flat tail." The average adult height for females is "8.2 feet" and "11.2 feet" for males. Their habitat includes a "variety of freshwater habitats including rivers, marshes, swamps, and lakes." The information from the sources above is conducive with the description of the organism observed; however, the organism observes was not in the adult height range given in the sources, indicating that the alligator has not yet reached adulthood yet. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of the American Alligator is primarily the United States "from North Carolina to Texas's Rio Grande" and are found "primarily in Florida and Louisiana."

The plant observed in this picture, stood at about 6 inches tall with leaves of about 2 inches in length and a singular flower at about 2 inches in diameter. Both male and female reproductive features were observed on the flower. The plant had a branching stem with dark green leaves that appeared elliptic and serrated in shape with cross-venulate veins. Additionally, the sole flower visible had white petals with a magenta center and white filaments with grey/brown anthers. The plant was observed in a shaded, wooded area underneath a tree with leaf litter scattered on the ground. The weather was quite temperate with a temperature of about 72 degrees Fahrenheit on a very sunny day. The plant was observed in a relatively dry area, but near a wetland area.

The following websites were used to aid in my identification:
https://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/wild-flowers
https://www.britannica.com/plant/wildflower
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildflowers/habitats.cfm
https://www.thoughtco.com/id-trees-using-leaf-shape-venation-1343511

From the information above, wildflowers are flowing plants that can "grow spontaneously under reproductive conducive conditions" and can develop in "wooded sites" where shade is needed. This matches with my description as the plant observed seemed to be the only plant of that species in its area and appeared to have grown spontaneously. Additionally, the plant was observed in a wooded habitat which is conducive with the information derived from the articles. Also, the sources above helped in the identification of the shape of the leaves. The sources state that serrated leaves have a margin that "has a series of toothlike pointed teeth around the entire leaf edge" and that elliptic shaped leaves are "oval shaped, small or no point." Additionally, cross-venulate veins are "small veins connecting secondary veins." This information seems to be conducive with my description of the plant observed and aided in my identification. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of wildflowers are wide ranging and are distributed world wide, but are favored in "woodlands, praises, and mountains" and as stated above, grow in conditions that allow for easy reproductive success.

The plant observed in this picture, stood at about 1.5 ft. tall with 4.5 inch fronds that were divided into small .5 inch divisions. No reproductive features were visible. No sporangia were present on the underside of the leaves. The leaves appeared to be a green color. Additionally, an unfurling set of leaves was observed. No aboveground roots were visible. The plant was observed in a semi-lit area with leaf litter covering the soil. The weather was quite temperate at about 72 degrees Fahrenheit and it was very sunny day. Also, the plant was observed close to a wetland area.

The following websites were used in order to aid in my identification:
https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/f/Fern.htm
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1104-classifying-and-identifying-ferns
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/files/edu/plantcamp/2015/notebook2015/supplemental/04/14_IFAS_UW217_Florida_Ferns.pdf
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Fern

From the information above, ferns can be divided into many categories. Ferns can often be observed in "temperate to subtropical climates" and in areas of "abundant moisture." Additionally, the sources above detail that "not every fond is fertile of produces spores" and are called "Tropophylls" which are leaves "that do not produce spores." Also, fronds can be observed to "expand by the unrolling of a tight spiral called a crozier of fiddlehead" with leaves that are "highly divided or undivided." The information gathered above correlates with my description of the plant observed as the leaves observed are undivided and an unfurling frond was observed. Additionally, the habitat described in the sources match my description and no visible sporangia was observed. Furthermore, the last source delves into the geographic distribution of ferns which are dispersed "throughout the world, including tropical, temperate, and Arctic environments, although most species are observed in tropical regions."

The bird observed in these photos has a white "football shaped body" with a curved, red bill and long, red legs. The bird appeared to be about two feet tall. The bird was observed in a shallow, fresh-water area.

The following websites were used in order to aid in my identification:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White_Ibis/id
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/white-ibis
https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/whiibi/introduction

From the information of the articles above, White Ibises are "almost entirely white, save for the black-tipped wings and brilliant reddish pink legs and bill." Additionally, White Ibises are "wetland birds" that are usually found in "freshwater marshes, coastal estuaries, mangroves, flooded pastures, mudflats, and swamps." Furthermore, they are usually found "[foraging] in shallow areas with less than 8 inches of water." This description of White Ibises matches with the description and location of the bird I had observed. Additionally, the last website goes into depth of the geographic distribution of White Ibises which are primarily in Florida, but are also present around the Gulf of Mexico as well as the Caribbean.