I snapped this photo last month in a nature preserve. The showy bloom caught my eye and I was pretty certain it was a milkweed. Since I’m looking to add some milkweed to my front yard I thought this might be a contender.

Sadly, a bit of online research proved me wrong. It is a milkweed but not a native one. Tropical Milkweed is a year-round bloomer, originally from Mexico.

It is quite popular with caterpillars but unfortunately, also a favorable home for the parasite, Ophryocystsis elektrosirrha. Many monarch butterflies already play host to the parasite and transmit them when laying their eggs.

The difference is that native species of milkweed die back during cooler weather, thereby reducing or eliminating the number of Oe on the plant. Tropical Milkweed does not, so when the hungry caterpillars emerge and start devouring the plant they ingest extra Oe. Most species can successfully tolerate some parasites but when the balance tips it becomes a problem.

This bright specimen will not be added to my pollinator garden but thankfully, there are 21 native species for me to choose from.

Not the sharpest set of photos (unlike the Anhinga’s pointy bill) but I thought it was an interesting series. After the “Snake Bird” impales it’s prey, it has to flip it loose using a few quick jerks of the neck.

Like juggling, precision is the key. Toss it too far and a nearby opportunist will steal it from you, miss the catch and it’ll swim away.

As you can see from the fish shape wedged in the neck, this Anhinga was well-skilled.

Native here in Florida, the Wild Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) is a vine I can’t wait to plant in my front yard. Not only is it a showy specimen but the flowers are a pollinator magnet and it serves as a larval host to several species of butterflies.

Look closely and you’ll see a small spider and the rear end of a Green Orchid Bee (Euglossa dilemma).

Recently shared the trail with this Eastern Ratsnake (Panterophis alleghaniensis). As the common name implies this species feeds on small rodents (as well as lizards and occasionally, bird eggs). Not only is it handsome but it is a beneficial serpent to have around.

Though they are non-venomous these snakes will strike if harassed. Thankfully, their first line of defense is to remain still. A behavior that allowed me an opportunity to take its portrait (with a zoom lens from a safe distance away).

Slither on, my good man, slither on.

When out roaming nature this time of year I’m on high alert – because it’s alligator mating season. The males are on the move searching for females and as such they are a bit more rambunctious (or aggressive, depending on your point of view).

It’s funny how quickly this pattern became ingrained in my head as a warning. I took an immediate step back in both instances, though a second later I realized it wasn’t necessary for the latter.

I am not overly afraid of them but I also don’t want to become a statistic. Since 1948, there have only been 26 recorded cases of human death by alligator in Florida. Considering the species now numbers over 1.3 million in the state, that’s a tiny fraction.