March 13, 2026

I am a juvenile Bar-winged Skimmer dragonfly

You might confuse me with a Great Blue Skimmer

But have a dark head and dark abdomen stripe

And I live in shallow water - I'm not much of a swimmer.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee,

Sources: http://dragonfliesnva.com/My%20Documents/KevinPDF/pdf/identify/species/BarwingedSkimmer-FINAL.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.

March 12, 2026

I am a Western Cattle Egret

I like to find a nice grassy patch

I follow plows

And hang out with cows

And sometimes work as a cattle hat.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee,

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Cattle-Egret/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.

March 11, 2026

I am a Domestic Cattle

Specifically, I'm composite known as A-Beef

I'm specifically bred to deal with Florida weather,

And, unfortunately, to be good to eat.

Location: Adams Ranch, Fort Pierce

Sources: https://www.adamsranch.com/cattle-breeds/composite-cattle/

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.

March 10, 2026

This is known as a Strangler Fig

It started out as an epiphyte that put down roots
On the one hand, it strangles the tree underneath

But birds and butterflies sure love its fruits.

Location: Adams Ranch, Fort Pierce

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/ficus-aurea#gsc.tab=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.

March 9, 2026

This is known as an Artesian Well.

The water you see flowing is an underground treasure

The pipe in the background doesn't require a pump

The water comes up because it's under pressure.

(Watch the video linked below, it explains Artesian Wells quite clearly and cleverly!)

Location:  Adams Ranch, Fort Pierce

Sources: https://youtu.be/agSg7EXRviI?si=DDNPgjnvs2s2n4z2

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.

March 8, 2026

I am known as an Osprey

Sitting here looking dramatic
You probably think that I'm posing

But I'm practicing my moves acrobatic.

Location: Pelican Island

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

March 7, 2026

I am a Black-bellied Plover

I'm the only American plover that has a hind toe

My hind toe quite tiny, you have to look hard

It's vestigial and superfluous as toes go.

Location: Pelican Island

Sources: https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/black_bellied_plover

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.