May 14, 2025

We are a pair of baby Barred Owls

We can climb trees using our talons and bill

We flap our wings, and walk up tree trunks

Till we master our adult flying skills.

Location: Central Florida

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

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2085073078674754

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.

May 13, 2025

This plant is knowns as Fetterbush Lyonia

It's an evergreen with white to pink flowers

It grows in coastal plains of the US southeast

And requires well-drained soil with just occasional showers.

Location: Longleaf Pine Preserve, New Smyrna Beach

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=lylu3

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.

May 12, 2025

I am an Eastern Kingsnake

I have a stout head and little beady eyes

You can find me from Florida to New Jersey

But you'll have to look hard, I live a private life.

Location: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/eastern-kingsnake/

Sources: Silver Springs State Park

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.

May 11, 2025

This plant is known as "Crown-of-thorns"

To see why, take a look at its stem

Although the flowers look pretty and innocent,

You don't want to get your hands on them!

Location: Possum Long Nature Center, Stuart

Sources: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b633

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.

May 10, 2025

I'm known as a Cassius Blue butterfly

When my wings are open, they look more blue

My genus is sometimes called "zebra blues"

You can see the zebra-like stripes from this view.

Location: Possum Long Nature Center, Stuart

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN829

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.

May 9, 2025

This is Madagascar Periwinkle

It makes a pretty herbaceous ground cover

But it only thrives in drier environments

With too much water, it gets root rot and keels over.

Location: Possum Long Nature Center, Stuart

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP112

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.

May 8, 2025

We are a pair of Swalllow-tail Kites

Right now we are on our nest with some eggs

Once they hatch, we'll hunt small vertebrates

To feed to our kids when they beg.

Location: Possum Long Nature Center, Stuart

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swallow-tailed_Kite/lifehistory

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.