December 25, 2025

I am known as a Common Sieve Tortoise Beetle

My life history is somewhat whack

When I was young

I wore a shield made of dung

To keep predators off of my back.

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN246

https://entomologytoday.org/2016/08/30/from-turtle-shell-to-poop-umbrella-this-is-one-unusual-group-of-beetles/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 24, 2025

I am known as a Smoky Tetanolita Moth

I'm mottled dark gray with two yellow wing marks

I'm predated by Bolos spiders who attract me by

Releasing pheromones that smell like my mate's naughty parts.

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02040201

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 23, 2025

I am an adult Cucumber moth

Notice my butt looks like a tiny string mop

I wasn't so cute as a caterpillar

I ate and destroyed cucurbits crops.

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://apps.lucidcentral.org/ppp/text/web_full/entities/cucumber_moth_033.htm

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 22, 2025

I am a Cypress Emerald

If there are Cypress trees, I might be around

If it's warm out I'll be green with white markings

But if it's cold I might be pink and brown.

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/moths/view.php?MONA_number=7029

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 21, 2025

Happy Winter Solstice! Today is my favorite day of the year, when earth begins to resume it's proper tilt. No matter how bad things seem in the world right now, at least there will be a little more sunshine every day for the next 6 months. 

We are known as Striped Grass Loopers

As caterpillars we ate lawns and sports fields

As moths we lay up to 400 eggs

And when closed, our wings look like etched shields.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://pest.ifas.ufl.edu/pest.html?194

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 20, 2025

This is a Dune Sunflower

It grows well in the sun and on dunes

For many native bees their pollen

Is an offer they can't refuse.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=hede4

http://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 19, 2025

This is the fruit of a plant in the Genus Selenicereus

It's a cactus that only blooms at night

It's flowers are large and fragrant

And usually are colored white.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.britannica.com/plant/cactus

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 18, 2025

This plant is in the Genus Pityopsis,

It is one of the Silkgrasses

So named for silky hairs on it's leaves

Like a young lass's silky eyelashes.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR471

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 17, 2025

This plant is known as Fourpetal St. Johnswort

It is considered to be near-endemic

It is only found in Florida and southern GA

Wherever it is, it is quite photogenic.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-hypericum-tetrapetalum/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 16, 2025

This is a Madagascar Periwinkle

It can have white, pink or purple flowers

Certain fungi

Cause this plant to die

As can exposure to too many rain showers.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP112

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 15, 2025

One of these plants is not like the other

Can you tell the differences between?

Two are Dahoon Hollies

One's Brazilian Pepper, by golly!

Both are Christmasy red and green.

(The native Dahoon Holly, first and third photos, have simple leaves. The invasive and non-native Brazilian Pepper has compound leaflets that on pepper busts, I like to remember with the rhyme, "Leaves of 7, send it to heaven!")

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/TURF/PESTS/broadsimcom.html

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 14, 2025

This is the start of a Sand Pine

In acidic soil it goes quite well

But it is susceptible to hurricane winds

Which can leave it bent and just a shell of itself.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/nassauco/2015/09/16/what-can-you-tell-me-about-the-florida-sand-pine/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 13, 2025

I am a Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

I have 3 white dots on each of my wings

They are circled with black

And a little abstract

Like the result of a Pollock paint fling.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: http://socalbutterflies.com/nymphalidae_html/Dione_incarnata.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Pollock

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 12, 2025

I am known as a Blue Jay

Notice you don't see my big crest

I can lower it when I'm chilling with family 

Or having a snack or at rest. 

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/overview

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/photo-gallery/311635911

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 11, 2025

I am a Pileated Woodpecker

I like to eat termites and carpenter ants

I find them by pecking on trees and on poles

Only downside is ants in my pants.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 10, 2025

I am a female Red-bellied Woodpecker

Looking for bugs on a tree

If I were male, I'd be red

On the top of my head

But still wouldn't have a red belly.

(But if you look close, you can see just a hint of pink on the tummy.)

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker/id

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 9, 2025

I'm an adult American Kestrel
Before I fledged I was bad, such audacity!
When I had to poop
I'd just cut it loose
Onto the walls of my nest cavity.

Location: Hallstrom Farmstead Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/overview

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 8, 2025

This plant is known as Lion's Ear

Although I have no idea why

I am guessing it was named by someone

Who never saw a lion walk by.

Location: Teague Hammock Preserve, Port St. Lucie, FL

Sources: https://plant-directory.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/leonotis-nepetifolia/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 7, 2025

This plant is known as Psychotria tenuifolia

Velvet-leafed Wild Coffee more commonly

It's berries are shown here in 

Various stages and colors of ripening.

Location: Teague Hammock Preserve, Port St. Lucie, FL

Sources: https://nativebutterflyflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Velvet-Leaf-Coffee.pdf

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 6, 2025

I am a female Red-shouldered Hawk

Appearing to be lost deep in thought

In reality I'm tired and thinking about lunch

Hoping it's slow enough to be easily caught.

Location: Teague Hammock Preserve, Port St. Lucie, FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 5, 2025

I am a Ceraunus Blue Butterfly

I'm tiny but not in the least self conscious

Take a close look at how I can curl up

My otherwise very long proboscis!

(In the second picture, notice how is little proboscis is ever so neatly coiled up!)

Location: Osprey Acres Stormwater Park, Vero

Sources: https://askentomologists.com/2016/02/29/on-the-tip-of-the-butterflys-tongue/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 4, 2025

This plant is Staghorn Clubmoss

It grows in pinelands and wet depressions

It's one of the  world's most common club moss

And it leaves an impressive impression.

(Enlarge the photo, it's s very cool looking plant!)

Location: Osprey Acres Stormwater Park, Vero

Sources: https://floranorthamerica.org/Palhinhaea_cernua

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 3, 2025

This plant is known as Cape Honeysuckle

Although it is beautiful and bright

It is also an invasive exotic -

Instead plant Florida native Trumpet Vine.

Location: Osprey Acres Stormwater Park, Vero

Sources: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/nassauco/2017/07/08/q-can-tell-cape-honeysuckle/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 2, 2025

I am a type of Lichen Moth, 

In the Lithosiini tribe

I'm in the Genus Agylla

Basically I'm just a cute fuzzy guy.

Location: Quijos, Ecuador

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithosiina

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agylla_(moth)

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 1, 2025

I am an Opharus subflavus moth

I am in the Tiger Moth tribe

I have thin tan stripes on my wings

But otherwise, I am mostly white.

Location: Cosanga, Ecuador

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/247501-Opharus

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.