Preparation

As we prepared for the upcoming and unwanted visit by Hurricane Idalia I noticed this Florida Blue-tailed skink, Plestiodon fasciatus, aka American five-lined skink. Its bright blue tail identified it as a juvenile or maybe a mature female since they often keep their blue tail color as they age, while males' bright blue color fades as they age. I was happy to spot this  handsome, heavy-bodied skink and get a photo of it. I expect that it will ride out Idalia under our shed or deck.