A Stroll in the Park

Orchard View Park.
Delray Beach, Florida. 

On our family trips to Florida, we always like to visit Orchard View Park in Delray Beach. This 6-acre park is tucked between a fire station and an elementary school. It has a loop trail, a playground, picnic tables and nice mix of native vegetation and introduced tropical plants. 

This Strangler Fig (Ficus aurea)
is the centerpiece of Orchard View Park. 
This native tree grows around a host tree
and eventually kills it. 
Delray Beach, Florida. 

We went to Orchard View Park in early March this year and found an abundance of small wonders. 

Curly-tailed Lizard (Leiocpehalus carinatus).
This individual does not have a curly tail.
Curly-tailed Lizards were introduced into Florida
 in the 1940s to control insect pests in the sugar cane fields.
Delray Beach, Florida. 

Resurrection Fern (Polypodium polypoidiodies).
This native fern grows on the trunks of trees.
When dry the fern turns brown, shrivels up and looks 
dead.  Rain will make it green up and it is resurrected. 
Delray Beach, Florida. 

The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is the state
bird of Florida.  Its song is a medley of the songs of other birds.
Delray Beach, Florida. 

Great Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectablis) is native of South
America but has been introduced as an ornamental plant to
warm regions around the world, including Florida. The flowers
are small and white, the large red structures are modified leaves
called bracts that play the role of flower petals to attract pollinators. 
Delray Beach, Florida. 

Spinybacked Orbweaver (Gasteracanthera cancriformis).
The genus name of this spider is from
the ancient Greek and means thorny belly.
Delray Beach, Florida. 

Lilac Tasselflower (Emilia sonchifolia).
This delicate native of Asia is now found in tropical and
subtropical areas around the world.
Delray Beach, Florida. 

Brown Anole (Anolis sageri). Males extend their brightly colored
dewlaps and do pushups to attract females.  This invasive species
from the West Indies has replaced the native
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) where their ranges overlap,
Delray Beach, Florida.    

A female Brown Anole.
Delray Beach, Florida. 

Spanish Needle (Bidens pilosa) is native to tropical and
subtropical America.  The fruits are dark and rod-shaped
with hooked spines on the end.  These fruits are hitchhikers that
cling to animal fur or people's socks.
Delray Beach, Florida.   

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus).
This large North American woodpecker is 
always impressive, from its bold black-and-white
pattern to its brilliant red crest. 
Delray Beach, Florida. 

Blue Morning Glory (Ipomea indica).  
This vine is native to Florida and tropical America.
It has been introduced to other parts of the
world and can be invasive.  
Delray Beach Florida. 

White Ibis (Eudocimus albus).
These brilliant white wading birds have
pink legs, pink face, pink beak and bright blue
eyes that give them a startled look. 
Delray Beach, Florida.  

White Ibis.
Delray Beach, Florida. 

Florida Snow (Richardia grandiflora) is native to South America
and when in flower can cover the ground in white. 
Delray Beach, Florida.  

Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).
This familiar rodent is common in parks
across eastern North America and in 
Orchard View Park too.
Delray Beach, Florida. 

Oriental False Hawksbeard (Youngia japonica). 
Originally from Asia it is now a
common weed around the world. 
Delray Beach, Florida. 

The Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) breeds
in the Eastern United States and winters in South Florida 
Mexico, Central America and on Caribbean Islands.
Delray Beach, Florida. 

Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis). 
Like many of the plants in Orchard View Park this one
started in Asia is now found in North America and Europe too.
Delray Beach Florida. 

While Orchard View Park does not boast a beach, or broad views of the Everglades or a dark cypress swamp, it is a peaceful place with a pleasing selection of Florida flora and fauna.

Orchard View Park.
Delray Beach, Florida.