January 13, 2026

I am known as a Purple Gallinule

Shown in pictures 1 and 2. 

My beak is orange with a blue shield

Common's beak is orange without any blue.

(Note: Zoom in on the Common Gallinule photo. It's pretty funny. There is a lily pad right behind his head, but the way the wind was blowing, it makes it look like he's wearing a green and yellow beanie!)

Location: St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Gallinule/species-compare

Photo and text © 2026 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.

January 12, 2026

I am a Carolina Burying Beetle

Giving this Least Shrew last rites

I dig underneath him to make him a grave

You'll only see disturbed dirt here by night.

Bonus: Check out this short video I made of the Burying Beetles in action. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve State Park

Sources: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/carrion-beetles-burying-beetles

Photo and text © 2026 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.

January 11, 2026

This was once a North American Least Shrew

You can tell by it's short, hairless tail

It was most likely predated by an owl or hawk

Come back tomorrow for an interesting detail...

Location: St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve State Park

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

January 10, 2026

I am a male Common Yellowthroat

But there's nothing common about me

I wear a black mask

When out looking for snacks

I skulk about and look somewhat shifty.

Location: West Cocoa

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

January 9, 2026

We are a group of Woodstorks

A mixture ot adults and teens

The more fuzzy my head, the younger I am

Adults could use a hat and sunscreen.

Location:  Cocoa Landfill

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

January 8, 2026

I am an immature White Ibis

Mom's teaching me a few steps of ballet

I don't have it down yet

But she's as good as they get

And I'll dance in Swan Lake some day.

Location: West Cocoa

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

January 7, 2026

I am known as a Loggerhead Shrike

You can see my hooked beak and tomial teeth

These are not a defect

In fact,  they're perfect

For tearing apart what eat, which is meat.

Location: West Cocoa

Sources: https://kaylafisk.com/2022/02/25/bird-anatomy-tomial-tooth/

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Loggerhead_Shrike/overview

Photo and text © 2026 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.