April 28, 2025

I am a Bare-throated Tiger-Heron

Central America is where I call home

I hunt on both land and in water

Eating rodents, fishes, and frogs as I roam.

Location: Ara Ambigua Lodge, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/btther1/cur/introduction

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.

April 27, 2025

I am a Red-eyed Tree Frog

I use my eye color for defense

My eyelids are green

And blend in with leaves

But my open eyes startle predators  - I look possessed.

Location: Ara Ambigua Lodge, Costa Rica

Sources: https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/species/tree-frog/

https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/nwep2b.htm

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.

April 26, 2025

I'm known as a Yellow-throated Toucan

My bill is huge, and yellow and red.

My feathers are mostly yellow and black

With some red and white on my breast and back end

Location: Ara Ambigua Lodge, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/bkmtou1/cur/introduction

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.

April 25, 2025

I am known as a Broad-winged Hawk

Like vultures, to relax we sometimes fly in kettles

That means we glide in circles in warm air currents

Because flying there does not test our mettle.

Location: Chilamate, Heredia, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-winged_Hawk/overview

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.

April 24, 2025

I am a Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

You can see part of my rufous tail from this angle

My tail color's distinct

My bill is bright pink

And I practice Polygyny, my love life's a tangle!

Location: La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/rtlhum/cur/introduction

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.

April 23, 2025

I am a Southern Rough-winged Swallow

I live near water where I nest and forage

I very much love

Eating beetles and bugs

Of which, near water, there's never a shortage.

Location: La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/srwswa1/cur/introduction

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.

April 22, 2025

I am known as a Laughing Falcon

I really enjoy eating snakes

At every dawn and dusk

I raise a loud fuss

Emitting laughing-like yelps, hence my name.

Location: La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/laufal1/cur/introduction

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.