Friday, December 8, 2023

December 8, 2023

I'm known as a Banded Water Snake
I'm semi-aquatic and my body is heavy
I can be found everywhere in Florida
Except for the Florida Keys.

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/snake/southern-watersnake/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson



Thursday, December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

I am a Spodoptera pulchella
My name means "diminutive beauty"
The curved, white line on my forewing
Can lead you to conclude that I'm me.

Location: My House, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20p?see=I_MPG32958&res=640

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

I am a Lineated Woodpecker
I'm not aggressive but this guy's gonna get hurt
The perverted little Palm Tanager
Is trying to look up my skirt!!

(Note from Dee: I am now officially retired from high tech and working with David full time. First up: we just returned from a trip to Ecuador and I am writing a new book tentatively titled, "The Rhyming Guide to Ecuador's Choco Andes Highlands", planned for a February release. For now, be on the lookout for some previews here in the blog!)

Location: Mirador Rio Blanco, Mindo Ecuador

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

This is the flower, fruit and leaves of Angel Trumpets
The red flowers enjoy hummingbird pollination
To humans all parts of the plant are poisonous
They can cause death, paralysis and hallucinations.

(Note from Dee: I am now officially retired from high tech and working with David full time. First up: we just returned from a trip to Ecuador and I am writing a new book tentatively titled, "The Rhyming Guide to Ecuador's Choco Andes Highlands", planned for a February release. For now, be on the lookout for some previews here in the blog!)

Location: Milpe Bird Sanctuary, Quito, Ecuador
Sources: https://www.britannica.com/plant/angels-trumpet

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson



Monday, December 4, 2023

December 4, 2023

I am a Shining Sunbeam hummingbird
I look sweet, but I'm really quite territorial
I'm aggressive towards other nectavores such as
Flowerpiercers and other hummingbirds equatorial. 

Location: Yanacocha Biological Reserve, Ecuador

Sources: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332625669_The_behavior_and_diet_of_the_Shining_Sunbeam_Aglaeactis_cupripennis_A_territorial_high-elevation_hummingbird

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Sunday, December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

I am a male Great Thrush
You can tell I'm make by my orbital skin
If I was female it would be dark, not light,
But we both have an orange beak, feet and shins.

(Note from Dee: I am now officially retired from high tech and working with David full time. First up: we just returned from a trip to Ecuador and I am writing a new book tentatively titled, "The Rhyming Guide to Ecuador's Choco Andes Highlands", planned for a February release. For now, be on the lookout for some previews here in the blog!)

Location: Quito, Equador


Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson.

Saturday, December 2, 2023

December 2, 2023

I am known as a Eared Dove
I'm similar to a Mourning Dove with a shorter tail
My name comes from the black spots beneath my ears
And my call is more growly, not a plaintive wail.

(Note from Dee: I am now officially retired from high tech and working with David full time. First up: we just returned from a trip to Ecuador and I am writing a new book tentatively titled, "The Rhyming Guide to Ecuador's Choco Andes Highlands", planned for a February release. For now, be on the lookout for some previews here in the blog!)

Location: Quito, Equador


Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson