Thursday, December 5, 2024

December 5, 2024

I am known as a Blomfild's Beauty
Sitting atop of a hat
I usually keep my wings tightly folded
But today, I'll show off my beauty unmatched.

Location: National Butterfly Center, Mission TX

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/52089

Photo and text © 2024 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, December 4, 2024

December 4, 2024

I am a Common Mestra
I'm gray to tan with an orange marginal band
I'm attracted to fruit and grasses
Scientists theorize that my breeding area's starting to expand.

(Refer to the linked article Remarks section for details of breeding area.)

Location: National Butterfly Center, Mission TX

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/31884

Photo and text © 2024 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, December 3, 2024

December 3, 2024

I am a Dainty Sulphur
I'm a small, yellow butterfly with long forewings
On my outer wing edge I've some black spots
If I migrate north, it will be in summer or spring.

Location: National Butterfly Center, Mission TX

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Nathalis-iole

Photo and text © 2024 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, December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

I am known as a Great Kiskidee
I'm one of the largest fly catchers
I'm omnivorous and I'm aggressive
And known to be a pet food and peanut butter snatcher. 

Location: National Butterfly Center, Mission TX

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

Photo and text © 2024 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, December 1, 2024

December 1, 2024

I am a Mexican Bluewing
But you'd never guess that when my wings are closed
My outer wings are brown just like tree bark
Only when open is blue iridescence exposed.

Location: National Butterfly Center, Mission TX

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Myscelia-ethusa

Photo and text © 2024 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, November 30, 2024

November 30, 2024

I am a male Ladder-backed Woodpecker
You can tell I'm male cause I wear a red-beret
I like cacti and trees
Where I find things to eat
Leafworms and caterpillars are just a few of my prey.

Location: National Butterfly Center, Mission TX

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ladder-backed_Woodpecker/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2024 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, November 29, 2024

November 29, 2024

We are known as Plain Chachalacas
Named for the sound we make
We're about the size of tall, skinny chickens
And eat fruit, herbs, and invertebrates.

Location: National Butterfly Center, Mission TX

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/placha/cur/foodhabits

Photo and text © 2024 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.