May 22, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, New York Ave

We are known as Red Imported Fire Ants
We cause damage both painful and ecological
We are known to ruin soybean crops and attack
Ground dwelling birds with a vengeance pathological.

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures - Red Imported Fire Ants

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 21, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, Rails to Trails

I am a male Sachem butterfly
If I were female I'd have a white spot on my wing.
I spend my day perched down low on the ground
Looking for a female who's up for a fling.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America - Sachem Atalopedes campestris (Boisduval, 1852) 

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 20, 2019

Location: Viera, Viera Wetlands

We are about a dozen baby Alligators
Well disguised by our baby stripes
You have to look really hard to see us
Don't take a swim or you'll be very surprised!

Sources: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute - American Alligator

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 19, 2019

Location: Viera, Viera Wetlands

I am an adult Great Horned Owl
I'm an aggressive hunter and I'll persist.
My eyes don't move but I can swivel my head
Almost like the girl in The Exorcist.

Note: My mom loved owls, so this post is to honor her on what would have been her 87th birthday. This is a captive owl that is used for education, which we saw at the Viera Wetlands festival.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Great Horned Owl

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 18, 2019

Location: Viera, Viera Wetlands

We are baby Anhingas
Right now we are pink, white and tan
When we grow up, we will be black and sleek
For right now, at least, that's our plan.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Anhinga

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 17, 2019

Location: Viera, Viera Wetlands

We are baby Great Blue Herons
We still live with mom in the nest.
Although our feathers help us blend in well,
Right now, they still look like a mess!

Sources: Cornel Lab All About Birds - Great Blue Heron

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 16, 2019

Location: Viera, Viera Wetlands

I am known as a Harris's Hawk
I like high perches, like a balcony.
I am social and don't mind humans,
So I'm often used for falconry.

Note: This was a captive bird that was used in a falconry demonstration at the Viera Wetlands Festival.

Sources: Cornel Labs All About Birds - Harris's Hawk

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson