First of 2 photographed
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cairina
Species: C. Moschata
Large duck native from Mexico, Central and South America.
Size: About 75cm in length and 15 pounds. Females are considerably smaller, about 8 pounds.
Color: Black, white and red.
They have long claws on their feet and wide flat tail.
Males raise their crests as a dominance display to other males. They also use the crest as a way of attracting female mates.
Female Muscovy ducks incubate and protect their young for 60 to 70 days.
They normally live up to 7 years.
They are omnivores.
When observed the weather was around 55 degrees.
Reference:
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cairina_moschata/
Found gathering around a nest on window ceiling. This observation focuses on the one on the very bottom. Yellow and brown striped. Dark brown wings. Brown antenna with yellow tips. Three part body. Triangle head. Two brown eyes. Head is smallest, midsection is a little bigger, back is biggest/longest. Six legs.
Reference:
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1158014
Kingdom plantea
Approximately 5.5 ft long. Brownish/ green in color. Prefers moist environment , doesn’t have roots.Hanging off a tree, they’re epiphytes. They catch moisture and nutrients from the air and the remains that collected on the plant.
Found in an urban habitat
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/natural-resources/sustainability-spanish-moss/
This alligator was found laying in a marsh at Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa. It has scales, an elongated snout, webbed feet, and a long powerful tail which allow it to swim in the water. It is classified under Kingdom Animalia. Its scale-like skin prevent it from dessication in the heat and provide waterproof resistance, classifying it as a reptile. The American Alligator is found in the southeast from Florida to Texas in swamps, lakes, and slow, fresh water rivers.
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
Mate of the gray-phase owl photographed at the same time and location. A nestbox nearby had fuzzy owlets briefly visible inside.
Taken with an iPhone 7 through a spotting scope.