May 16, 2022

This is Yaupon Holly

Later in the year it will have bright red berries

The flowers attract bees, and the fruit attracts birds

And its usage in landscaping varies.

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST311

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 15, 2022

This plant is known as a Sea Grape

The dangly things are known as racemes

Eventually it will have white flowers then grapes

Which are the food of bird and squirrel dreams.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST175

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 14, 2022

I am known as a Sanderling

I like to run up and down the beach

Unless there's a Peregrine Falcon around, 

Then I fly erratically to stay out of reach.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sanderling/overview

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 13, 2022

I am known as a Ruddy Turnstone

My legs and feathers contain shades of ochre

One thing I don't have is a horrible stench -

I am not a filthy, polluting, jerk smoker.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 12, 2022

I am a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

My tail's much longer than you would imagine

My back and head are grey, my tummy is white

And my flanks are pale shade of salmon.

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Hazel Bazemore Park, Corpus Christi TX

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Scissor-tailed_Flycatcher/photo-gallery/302140191

Photo © 2022 David Simpson and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 11, 2022

I am a Collared Peccary

Also known as a Javelina

You might mistake me for a pig or a boar

But never for a ballerina.

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Hazel Bazemore Park, Corpus Christi TX

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

Photo © 2022 David Simpson and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 10, 2022

I am known as a Green Jay

I'm the only green bird in this photo

I'm found in south Texas, but nowhere in Florida,

Not in the Keys, Tallahassee or Ft. Desoto. 

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson who took this photo on a recent trip to Texas.

Location: Hazel Bazemore Park, Corpus Christi TX

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

Photo © 2022 David Simpson and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson