August 4, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a male Northern Bobwhite

You can tell by my black eyestripe

If I were female my eyestripe would be lighter brown

In the southwest you might see a rare Masked Bobwhite.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Northern Bobwhite

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 3, 2020

Location: Mattawamkeag, Maine

I am a female Eastern Dobsonfly

During breeding I can lay 1000 eggs

My mate has large sickle-like jaws

And as adults we live three to eight days.

Special thanks to guest photographer (and my big brother) Wayne Blanchard. 

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures - Eastern Dobsonfly

Photo © 2020 Wayne Blanchard, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 2, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a baby Gopher Tortoise

I am an ectotherm, which means I depend on the sun.

My mom laid between six and 8 eggs

I'm probably the only one left having fun*.

* As mentioned in the article below, "Within a few weeks of eggs being laid, up to 87% of nests may be predated upon, according to one study."

Sources: Animal Diversity Web: Gopherus polyphemus (Florida) Gopher Tortoise

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 1, 2020

Location: Taylor Creek/Nubbins Slough Conservation Area, Okeechobee

I am a White Peacock butterfly

Landing on some Frog Fruit
This was my host plant when I was caterpillar

But now I'm covered by scales and am far less hirsute.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America: White Peacock

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 31, 2020

Location: Taylor Creek/Nubbins Slough Conservation Area, Okeechobee

I am a male Red-winged Blackbird

Unlike me, my mate is hard to recognize

She has brown stripes and does not have red wings, 

But we have identical beak, legs and eyes,

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Red-winged Blackbird

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 30, 2020

Location: Taylor Creek/Nubbins Slough Conservation Area, Okeechobee

I am known as an Anhinga

Surviving in this age is no easy task

I spread my wings to social distance

But my beak keeps poking holes in my mask!

Sources: Birds Have Their Own Disease Problems That Sometimes Become Ours

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 29, 2020

Location: Taylor Creek/Nubbins Slough Conservation Area, Okeechobee

I am a Great Egret
I hang out in shallow water to hunt frogs and fish
I strike quickly using my long neck and beak
And eat my prey with panache and relish.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Great Egret

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson