January 15, 2022

I am an Eastern Phoebe

I am a small passerine

When it rains I tend to stay hunkered down

So I don't need gaberdine. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Phoebe/id
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passerine

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 14, 2022

We are both Barred Yellow butterflies

Our underwing color can vary quite widely -

It changes by season and whether we're male or female

And our upper wings are colored brightly.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Eurema-daira

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/67324-Eurema-daira/browse_photos

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 13, 2022

I am known as a Brown Thrasher

I'm in the same family as Mockingbirds

Many ornithologists think I can sing better -

Mockingbirds get more credit they they deserve.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 12, 2022

I am known as a Bald Eagle

I've been in Florida since the late Pleistocene

Very few Bald Eagle fossils date from that time

Currently, they've only found around 17.

(Be sure to click the link below, very interesting article. I will have to hit the Florida Museum one of these days, haven't been there in years - maybe a post pandemic field trip!)

 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-vertebrate-fossils/species/haliaeetus-leucocephalus/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 11, 2022

This is Narrowleaf Sunflower

It's not tolerant of brackish or salt water

Although similar to the Rayless Sunflower,

The Narrowleaf's ray florets are much broader.

Location: Cocoa Christmas Bird Count

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-helianthus-angustifolius/
https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-helianthus-radula/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 10, 2022

I am a Gulf Fritillary

In Florida I float along like a soft summer breeze

And though I've expanded my range as far north as the Great Lakes

I am not able to tolerate a freeze.

Location: Cocoa Christmas Bird Count

Sources: https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.113004/Dione_vanillae

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 9, 2022

We are Brown-headed Cowbirds

My scientific name is Molothrus ater

We are partly responsible for the decline of some endangered birds

Because we are terrible maters and paters. 

Location: Cocoa Christmas Bird Count

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/overview#

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson