Thursday, July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

I am a male Green Kingfisher
Females lack the rufous chest
I'm about 2/3 the size of Belted Kingfishers
And I'm mostly green, as my name suggests.

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

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

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.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

I am a Spotted Sandpiper,
I'm a generalist so I can live any place
I forage for food near water
Insects, plants or fish - I can always feed my face!

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources:  https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/sposan/cur/introduction

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.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

I am known as a male Sungrebe
If I were female, there'd be a rusty patch on my face
I have a pouch under my wing to hold my chicks
It's a convenient baby storage space.

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/sungre1/cur/breeding

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.

Monday, June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025


I'm a Southern Rough-winged Swallow
You'll see me catching insects from mid air
After breeding, you can find me in very large flocks
But while breeding I am usually half of a pair.

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/srwswa1/cur/introduction

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.

Sunday, June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025


I am known as a Variegated Squirrel
I can be found in both wet and dry tropical forests
My color can vary from black to lighter yellow
My fur is darkest where rain falls in torrents.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

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

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.


Saturday, June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

I am known as a Russet-naped Wood-Rail
So named for the rusty patch on the top of my head
Personally I think I should be called Russet-crowned
Or Black Powderpuff-Tailed Wood-Rail instead. 

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/runwor1/cur/introduction

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.

Friday, June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

I am an Orange-chinned Parakeet
Take a close look, the name is correct
I'm otherwise green, with a hint of yellow on my wings
My orange chin is a feature, not a defect.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/orcpar/cur/introduction

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.