May 28, 2026

I am known as a Skull-collecting Ant

I spray Trap-Jaw ants with my formic acid,

Then I decorate my nest 

With their chopped off head

Eat a meal and then take an antacid.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://phys.org/news/2018-11-uncovers-predatory-behavior-florida-skull-collecting.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.

May 27, 2026

I am an Eastern Cottontail

Take look at my fluffy white butt

You must be relieved

To get a reprieve

From Dee's nearly month-long bug rut.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: http://fs.usda.gov/database/feis/animals/mammal/syfl/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.

May 26, 2026

I am an Atlantic Grasshopper

I like to stay in a semi aquatic place

My antennae are usually shorter than my hind femora

And I have a weirdly skeleton like face. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/5004

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.

May 25, 2026

I am a Six-lined Racerunner

It's easy to confuse me with Skinks

Bad lighting makes me look dark here

But Skinks have 5 lines and I have six. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/reptiles/view.php?checklist_number=146.0

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.

May 24, 2026

I am a Marl Pennant Dragonfly

I live near salt marshes or a beach

I occasionally hunt in swarms with my friends

And often hunt from perches on reeds.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://virginianaturalhistorysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2022/12/B28-full-Marl-pennant-1.pdf

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.

May 23, 2026

I am sometimes known as a Blue-eyed Roach

Which makes me sound prettier than I am

I'm fairly common in Florida

But I'm native to the Carribean.

Location: On the side (outside) of my house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/82035

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.

May 22, 2026

I am known as a Small Hooded Cockroach

The cover of the first part of my thorax

Looks like I'm wearing a cowl-neck sweater

My lack of fashion's my only drawback.

Location: On the side (outside) of my house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/111902

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.