September 15, 2024

I am a Berylline Hummingbird

You know I'm not Buff-bellied, I've got rufous on my wings

Sometime I steal

A snack or a meal

From spider webs - trapped insects and things.

Thanks to my very special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Arizona

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/berhum/cur/introduction?login#food

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.

September 14, 2024

I am a Broad-billed Hummingbird

I'm either female or immature

If you wait a few months and my colors are bright,

Then I'm male, you will know for sure.

Thanks to my very special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Arizona

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-billed_Hummingbird/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.

September 13, 2024

I am an Elegant Trogon

I have a thick neck, and short, wide bill

I'm multi-colored and have a pot-belly

And live in cavities that woodpeckers drilled.

Thanks to my very special guest photographer, AND BIRTHDAY BOY TODAY David Simpson.

Location: Arizona

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Elegant_Trogon/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.

September 12, 2024

I am an Eastern Black-tailed Rattlesnake

But you can find me in the Southwest

My venom is cytotoxic and hemotoxic

And might kill you, but it's best not to test.

Thanks to my very special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: New Mexico

Sources: https://www.savethebuzztails.org/species-accounts/eastern-black-tailed-rattlesnake

https://muttermuseum.org/stories/posts/venom-vs-poison

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.

September 11, 2024

I am a known as a Rock Rattlesnake

I'm usually grey with black bands

My color can vary based on size and location

I'm venomous, don't touch me with your hands

Thanks to my very special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Arizona

Sources: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/banded-rock-rattlesnake

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.

September 10, 2024

I am known as a Blue Land Crab

I reproduce based on the weather and moon

I start looking for a mate during the rainy season

And just before a full moon we spoon. 

Location: Jones' Pier Conservation Area, Vero Beach

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

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.

September 9, 2024

I am a male Scarlet Skimmer

I live where native dragonflies don't hang

I prefer to hang out in low-quality wetlands

Frankly my dear, I don't give a dang.

Location: Jones' Pier Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/18756

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.