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

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

https://bugguide.net/node/view/610763

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

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

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/17858-Dryocopus-lineatus

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/10297-Thraupis-palmarum

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

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

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

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

Sources: https://www.peruaves.org/turdidae/great-thrush-turdus-fuscater/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson.

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

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

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson