September 5, 2026

I am a Great Southern White Butterfly

When I was young I ate cabbage and kale

Technically they are cultivars of the same species

But cabbage is tasty and kale's a big FAIL. 

(Ok, this might be an opinion here. The caterpillars of the Great Southern White eat both cabbage and kale, but I assume Great Southern White caterpillars do not have taste buds as kale is super gross, and cabbage adds a nice crunch to burritos and casseroles.)

Location: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Blackpoint Drive

Sources: https://a-z-animals.com/blog/kale-vs-cabbage-comparing-two-great-brassicas/

https://plowingthroughlife.com/hamburger-cabbage-casserole/

Photo and text © 2026 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.

September 4, 2026

I am an adult male Florida Scrub Jay

You know I'm male because I have a wife

You know she's my wife cause she makes a hiccup call,

And stays with me, and gave our offspring life.

(This is one of my favorite Florida Scrub Jays. He was one of the first ones that I helped to train for banding back in 2020.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.verobeachmagazine.com/features/one-jay-at-a-time/

Photo and text © 2026 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.

September 3, 2026

This plant is known as Torpedo Grass

It was introduced to the US prior to 1876

It seeds were brought here to plant forage crops

And might also have been used as ballast on ships.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/graminoid/panrep/all.html

Photo and text © 2026 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.

September 2, 2026

This plant is Chapman's Blazing Start

It blooms in summer and fall 

It's at its peak September through October

And has no tolerance for salt at all. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/liatris-chapmanii#gsc.tab=0

Photo and text © 2026 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.

September 1, 2026

We are known as Cuban Treefrogs

Our big strong legs help us strut

And the suction cups on our toes

Keep us from falling on our butts.

Location: My bedroom window

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW259

Photo and text © 2026 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.

August 31, 2026

We are Andean Ibises

We're in a different genus than the White

We're larger and arguably prettier

And are Near Threatened due to our population size.

Location: Antisana Ecological Reserve, Quijos EC-Napo, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/bkfibi2/cur/introductionv

Photo and text © 2026 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.

August 30, 2026

I am a Slate-Throated Redstart

I'm one of many subspecies, widespread

My tummy's yellow in Ecuador

I've no clue what for

But elsewhere it's orange or red.

Location: San Miguel de Los Bancos--Mirador Río Blanco, Ecuador

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.