March 22, 2023

I am an Atlantic Sand Fiddler Crab

You know I'm male because I have one large claw

You know I'm an adult because of the color on my carapace

Which can change for thermoregulation or camouflage.

Location: Riverside Park, Vero

Sources: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330801124_Color_changes_of_fiddler_crab_between_seasons_and_under_stressful_conditions_Patterns_of_changes_in_lightness_differ_between_carapace_and_claw

https://irlspecies.org/taxa/index.php?taxon=9820&cl=31

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 21, 2023

I am a Little Blue Heron

In Florida you can find me year round

In winter you might find me in SOCAL

If there's a Little Blue starlet who wants to get down.

Location: Riverside Park, Vero

Sources: https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/littleblueheron.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 20, 2023

I am a Northern Mockingbird

I'm mostly white, black and grey

I don't have a yellow tummy

But sitting on this wire, it sure looks that way!

Location: Riverside Park, Vero

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 19, 2023

I am a juvenile Atlantic Blue Crab

Callinectes sapidus is my scientific name

That translates to "beautiful savory swimmer"

Unfortunately being tasty is my claim to fame.

Location: Riverside Park, Vero

Sources: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Blue-Crab

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 18, 2023

I am known as a Cobbler Moth

I'm in the Owlet moth super family

As a larvae I ate marigolds and ragweed

And damaged crops in Florida, specifically Celery.

Location: My yard, Fellsmere

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/108405

http://nearctica.com/moths/noctuid/condica/condica_sutor.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 17, 2023

This is Jamaican Feverplant, 

It is also called Puncture Vine

Due to the damage it causes bikes and critters - 

Its fruit has painfully pointy spines.

Location: Riverwalk, Sebastian

Sources: https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/tribulus-cistoides/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 16, 2023

We are three Common Ground Doves

We're usually close to the ground, but today we're on a railing

You know we're ground doves by our pink legs and small stature

And our long cooing song that sounds a bit like wailing.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Ground_Dove/sounds

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson