I had my first good look at a Sora Rail or Sora Crake yesterday. I was quite surprised at how dainty the bird was at it crept out of the undergrowth in and out of shallow water very close to me. They are extremely attractive little birds with a bright yellow beak. Beak apart, very similar to a small quail.

Apparently they can  lay as many as 18 eggs in a clutch, but usually about 10. The youngsters are precocial, in other words able to forage and walk soon after hatching. They must be very attractive to predators which would explain why so many are hatched in every round. All the information that I can find points to the fact that hey are common but rarely seen so I I am counting myself very fortunate.

Quite close to the Sora was  this young Gator, (it looks bigger than it was). We watched  with real morbid fascination as it appeared to be showing real interest in a couple of Moor Hens grazing nearby and getting nearer and nearer. It was a surprise when the birds ran towards the Alligator and  instead of attacking he turned tail and retreated back in to the water for apparent safety! Good for the birds but a potential photo opportunity missed!!! 

It was a good afternoon for reptiles because I saw and photographed this Jesus Lizard, not sure if it was the same one seen the other day but it was in the same area. Anyway, it posed very well for us as you can see.

On the subject of reptiles this next one is a Water Snake – Nerodia fsciata pictiventris. 

The Brown Anole –Anolis sagrei is a lizard that, though not native to Florida, can be seen almost everywhere particularly when the weather is hot. The males display to the smaller females by extending, like a flag, a flap of skin on the neck which is brightly coloured red.