October 1, 2022

I am a Black-and-white Warbler

You usually find me high up in trees

Where I like to hunt bugs and insects

But I breed on the ground amongst fallen leaves.

Location: Riverside Park, Vero

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-and-white_Warbler/overview

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 30, 2022

I am an adult male Prairie Warbler

I like to pick insects from branches and leaves

If I am a migrant, I breed throughout the eastern US

If I'm resident, I breed in Florida Mangrove trees.

Location: Riverside Park, Vero

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Prairie_Warbler/maps-range

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 29, 2022

I am a Cape May Warbler

My population goes up and down

It's down when insects in northern forests are scarce

When there's more food my population rebounds,

Location: Riverside Park, Vero

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/cape-may-warbler

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 28, 2022

We are known as a Blue Jays

We look like we've both been through a wringer

We might look revolting, but we are just molting

In a few months, we will both be humdingers!

Location: Riverside Park, Vero

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/news/understanding-basics-bird-molts

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 27. 2022

I am a Southern Yellow-winged Grasshopper

I've bright yellow hind wings, but you can't see them here

I look like a rock, and you might be in shock

When I jump and bright yellow appears!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/ghopper/band.pdf

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 26, 2022

I am a Longhorn Band-wing Grasshopper

I like sandy places like river banks and dunes

In the south my wings are orange to red

My friends in New Englands wings have a yelllowish hue.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/9542

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 25, 2022

This is Asclepias pedicellata,

Also known as Savannah Milkweed

Butterflies and caterpillars like the plant

But there's not much to eat now that it's gone to seed.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-asclepias-pedicellata/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson