Monday, February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

I am a Gray-headed Swamphen
I have pinkish legs and brownish knees
Well, actually, those are my ankles
 My knees are under my feathers near my body.

Special thanks to my guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Green Cay, Boynton Beach

Sources: Make sure you check out this link, it has a great comparison drawing that explains bird feet and legs. https://www.skeletaldrawing.com/home/2011/09/um-hey-scientific-american-bird-knees.html

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 16, 2025

February 16, 2025

I am a Pseudemys nelsoni
Commonly known as Florida Red-bellied Turtle
You know that I'm male
Cause I've long front toenails
But both me and my mate wear red girdles.

Special thanks to my guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Green Cay, Boynton Beach

Sources: https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2020/06/18/2020-year-of-the-turtle-florida-red-bellied-turtle/

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 15, 2025

February 15, 2025

I am known as a Chuck Will's Widow
Allegedly that's what my call sounds like
During the day I sit still and don't make a sound
You will only hear me at night. 

(Bird calls are the ear of the beholder - to me it sounds like he is saying, "Well, whoop-dee-doo, Well, whoop-dee-doo!")

Special thanks to today's guest photographer,  David Simpson.

Location: Green Cay

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chuck-wills-widow/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 14, 2025

February 14, 2025

I am a Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Shown here with my kids and mate
When a camera comes out
No matter how much I shout
Someone makes a goofy face. 

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-bellied_Whistling-Duck/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.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

I am a female Egyptian Goose on my nest
My mate is never around
I think it because I built my nest in a tree
And he's looking for me on the ground. 

(Egyptian Geese usually nest on the ground, but occasionally nest high in trees. This was the first nest David and I have ever seen in a tree. But I must say it looked really comfy amongst the ferns.)

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Egyptian_Goose/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 12, 2025

February 12, 2025



I am known as an Egyptian Goose
I have a hard time getting dates
I think it's because it looks terrifyingly like
There's a bird eating it's way out of my face. 

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

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

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.