January 26, 2023

I am am Eastern Meadowlark

I'm known to mate in a polygynous style

I have a territory that I defend for multiple mates

Using charm, jump flights, and my wile.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 25, 2023

I am a Savannah Sparrow

I've got a short tail and I've got pink beak

My head is comparatively smaller than my body

But sometimes I raise my crown feathers into a peak.

(Cornell doesn't explain why they raise their crown feathers, but sometimes I wear a high ponytail to make me look taller, so I am guessing that raising the crown feathers is done for the same reason.) 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 24, 2023

I am probably a Tigrosa annexa

It's difficult to tell without a close shot of my eyes

But I'm definitely in the family of Wolf Spiders

Based on location and size.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/747000

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 23, 2023

This was a Dorantes Longtail

Now the victim of a swinging screen door

Butterflies are generally quite fragile things

And would never make it in the Marine Corp.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Urbanus-dorantes

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 22, 2023

I am an Eastern Towhee

My mate and I are often victims of Cowbirds

They steal our eggs

And throw them away

And leave their eggs in our nest, those cowards!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 21, 2023

I am a Salt Marsh moth caterpillar

In Canada, I can be a crop pest

I am named for the Salt-grass hay I eat in Boston

I more often eat veggies, but I like Pigweed the best.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/saltmarsh_caterpillar.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 20, 2023

I am a Troglodytes aedon

Known as a House Wren, more commonly

"Trōglē" comes the Greek word that means "hole"

I'm known to nest in woodpecker cavities.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troglodyte

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson