May 20, 2026

I am a Rabid Wolf Spider

I'm harmless to humans but not to other bugs

I'm known as a "sit and wait predator"

Where sit and.. AAUUUUUUUUUGGGgggggg...

(Note: This spider and I were having a nice little chat and unfortunately I distracted her and this jerk wasp came by and nailed her. I realize everyone has to eat but I still felt bad for my inadvertent involvement. The wasp carried the spider off; I lost track of them but I assume she had young somewhere and was taking the spider home to them for dinner.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

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 19, 2026

I am a Delaware Skipper

But don't be fooled by my name

I was named for the Delaware Native American tribe

Who lived where I first came into my fame*.

* Delaware Skippers are more common in Florida than in the northeast.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-delaware-skipper/

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 18, 2026

(Don't read today's post if you are eating. Or, if you are on a diet and struggling, continue scrolling, it might stop you from eating. I took the photo, forgot I took it and was snacking when I downloaded the photo and it came up for review.  Not a diet plan for everyone, but it sure slowed me down!)

I am a Turkey Vulture

Minding my own business in the grass

Dee thought I might be on a nest

I was eating my lunch, I bet she wish she had asked!

(It was a very demised and stinky wild hog, but I've never photographed maggots for the blog before. Now I remember why...)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

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 17, 2026

I'm a Flat-headed Bald Cypress Sapwood Borer

I am a species of metallic wood-bearing beetle

I can do some damage to oak and maple trees

But I'm totally harmless to people.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/2934

https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/woodborer-metallic-woodboring-beetle/

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 16, 2026

I am known as a Gallinipper

I'm basically a very large mosquito

I have a nasty bite and like the taste of humans

But I'm easy to avoid, I've no way to fly incognito.

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

Sources: https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/neighborhoods/mosquito-control/psorophora-ciliata

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 15, 2026

I am known as a Black Stink Bug

But that name's not entirely true

My legs are part white

And my back spot is light

And my mate likes my sweet perfume

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

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN795

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 14, 2026

I am known as an Eastern Leaf-footed bug

You know I'm me cause my white stripe is unbroken

I'm mostly considered a minor pest to crops

And can be found from Florida to Hoboken*.

*Technically Long Island, but they are close enough, and Long Island doesn't rhyme with "unbroken"

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN229

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.