August 9, 2022

I am known as an Oak Toad

I blend in well with my surroundings

Hognose and Garter snakes both like to eat me

It's good my camouflage can be confounding.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 8, 2022

I am a Proctacanthus heros

I am a type of robber fly

I have a tiny "beak" on which I impale prey

Which includes Cicadas, Wasps, and Horseflies.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://gophertortoisecouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104:sandhill-robbers&catid=31

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 7, 2022

This is a feather from a Northern Flicker

Pigmentation is based on the bird's diet

Metabolic processes also contribute -

It's easier to be natural than to try to tie-dye it.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Little League Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/norfli/cur/appearance

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 6, 2022

This is a Black Vulture feather

The second photo shows several

Although it looks like some vultures exploded, 

They just molted, it's nothing distressful.

Location: Little League Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/the-basics-feather-molt/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 5, 2022

This is Paraguayan Purslane

It was first recorded in the US in the 1950's

It grows quite well in disturbed sites

From pastures to parking lots in the middle of cities.

Location: South Carolina Ave, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.jstor.org/stable/41966600

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 4, 2022

I am a young Cooper's Hawk

When I get older, my head will be darker

Right now I'm a warm reddish-brown color

But my long, striped tail's an identifying marker.

Location: South Carolina Ave, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Coopers_Hawk/id

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 3, 2022

This is known as Shoestring Fern

It can grow from 1 to 23 inches

It is Epiphytic and grows on palm trees

And it's long green strands are reminiscent of Grinches.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: http://floranorthamerica.org/Vittaria_lineata

https://clickamericana.com/wp-content/uploads/Dr-Seuss-How-the-Grinch-Stole-Christmas-classic-cartoon-14.jpg

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson