July 31, 2026

I am known as a Hypanartia dione dione
As a larvae I built 4 shelters

I used the shelters to molt through 6 instars

And now I'm off on butterfly adventures.

Location: Refugio Paz de las Aves, Ecuador

Sources: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267806353_The_life_history_of_Hypanartia_dione_dione_Lepidoptera_Nymphalidae_in_northeastern_Ecuador

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.

July 30, 2026

I am an Amastus coccinator

I'm in the Arctiini tribe

Arctiini is based on the greek word for "bear"

Cause as a larva I had a cute furry hide.

Location: Cosanga Napo, Cosanga, Ecuador

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/39181

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.

July 29, 2026

I am a Periclina syctaria

I'm in the family of Geometer Moths

When I was young I was known as an "inchworm"

Not cause of my size, but the way that I walk.

Location: Quijos, Ecuador

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

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.

July 28, 2026

I am a known as a Red-spotted Newt

I'm in the terrestrial adult stage of life

As an egg and larva I lived in the water

To where I'll return to find a breeding site.

Special thanks to today's first time guest photographer, Sammy McGee!

Location: Greybeard Mountain Trail Montreat, NC

Sources: https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/amphibians/salamanders/red-spotted-newt/index.php

Photo © 2026 Samantha McGee 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.

July 27, 2026

I am a Tawny-bellied Hermit

My beak is long and curved

I used it to catch arthropods and drink nectar

Conservation-wise, I'm a species of least concern.

Location: La Brisa (hummingbird feeders), Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/tabher1/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.

July 26, 2026

I am a male White-booted Racket-tail

I’ve a long tail, and large white leg puffs

My mate has a short tail and much smaller boots

But for me, she is more than enough!

Location: Sachatamia Lodge, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/boorat1/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.

July 25, 2026

I am a Giant Hummingbird

My beak is black, straight and stout

You might be confused by this photo, 

My beak is not curved, that’s my tongue sticking out!

Location: Antisana Ecological Reserve, Quijos, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/giahum1/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.