Tuesday, February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

We are a pair of European Starlings
Getting down though it's early in the season
We're cavity nesters and we've got our own place
And love doesn't need a reason. 

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/lifehistory

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.

Monday, February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

I am a female Red-bellied Woodpecker
The top of my head is not red like my mates
My belly is pink,
Not as red as you'd think
Bird names don't always match the bird's traits.

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker/id

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.

Sunday, February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

I am a male Muscovy Duck
My caruncles help me attract a mate
They drive the girl Muscovies wild
(Caruncles are the red warty things on my face.)

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/musduc/cur/identification

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.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

February 8, 2025

I am known as a Mourning Dove
There is something quite wrong with my foot - 
It could be the result of a predator
Or illness, fishing line, or hooks.

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

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

Friday, February 7, 2025

February 7, 2025

I am known as a Forster's Tern
I have long wings and short legs
I dive when I want to catch some prey and
Perform spiral courtship flights when I want eggs.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, Jessica Sodano.

Location: Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Forsters_Tern/id

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.

Thursday, February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

We are American Avocets
If we were breeding, we'd be partly pink
We are hunting for aquatic invertebrates
Such as beetles, and brine flies and shrimp.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, Jessica Sodano.

Location: Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Avocet/lifehistory

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.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

I am known as a Great Egret
In general, I'm calm and attractive 
Except when I'm looking straight into a lens - 
Then I look mean and combative.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, Jessica Sodano.

Location:  Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

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