November 29, 2021

(Left) I am known as an Anhinga

(Right) And I am a Boat-tailed Grackle

We get along fine in the wild as friends

But you won't find us in a wedding chapel. 

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2019.00113

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

David Simpson and I are pleased to present to you episode 6 of Dee at 8 a.m. Ask David a Birding Question. Today's question comes from Joy Handley who wants to know: How can you tell terns apart? Thanks for the question!

If you have a question you want David to answer, please leave a comment here. And if you want to support my dream of giving up my day job and doing this full time, be sure to click the YouTube Like and Subscribe buttons!

https://youtu.be/xOgcxZsAyug

November 28, 2021

This is Macroptilium lathyroides

Also known as Phasey Bean

It's flowers are purple-ish red,

And it has compound leaves. 

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/macroptilium-lathyroides/

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compound%20leaf

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 27, 2021

I am known as a Cucumber Moth

In Africa and Asia, I'm considered a pest

I tend to eat fruit

There lies the dispute

I don't only eat, I infest!

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Palm Bay, FL

Sources  https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/assets/factsheets/diaphania-indica-nitidalis-hyalinata.pdf

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 26, 2021

I am a male breeding House Sparrow

I like to live where I have human neighbors

Because I'm so common, I'm easily studied

As evidenced by nearly 5000 published scientific papers.

Location: Cape Cod, MA

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

(Note: I'm feeling a little homesick, so I thought I'd dedicate this week to the last time I had a real vacation with my sibs when we went to Cape Cod in July of 2016. Enjoy the trip up north!)

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 25, 2021

I am known as a Tree Swallow

I live up north when I'm breeding

But when the weather gets cold

I'm just not that bold

Come July or August - I'm leaving!

Location: Cape Cod, MA

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tree_Swallow/maps-range

(Note: I'm feeling a little homesick, so I thought I'd dedicate this week to the last time I had a real vacation with my sibs when we went to Cape Cod in July of 2016. Enjoy the trip up north!)

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 24, 2021

I am a Black-capped Chickadee

I have a black hat and bib

My mate and I excavate a tree cavity

Each year to make our little nesting crib.

Location: Cape Cod, MA

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Parus_atricapillus/

(Note: I'm feeling a little homesick, so I thought I'd dedicate this week to the last time I had a real vacation with my sibs when we went to Cape Cod in July of 2016. Enjoy the trip up north!)

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson