June 22, 2026

I am a duck known as a Mallard

All domestic ducks are descended from me

With one exception, the Muscovy duck
Who is on a different branch of the family tree. 

Location: Ottawa County, OH, USA

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

https://www.onezoom.org/life/@Aix=765192?otthome=%40Anas_platyrhynchos%3D765167#x899,y254,w1.3741

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.

June 21, 2026

I am a female Red-winged Blackbird

I helped prove that location's more important than genes

My nestlings were swapped with a nest in a different locale

But still the babies grew up to look just like me.

Location: Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-winged_Blackbird

I do not have a subscription to Science magazine, but here is a link to a synopsis on JSTOR:  https://www.jstor.org/stable/1691590

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.

June 20, 2026

I 'm a type of rail known as a Sora

I like to eat seeds from wetland plants
I use my long toes to get bullrush and grass

I also eat aquatic insects when I get the chance.

Location: Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sora/lifehistory

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.

June 19, 2026

I am known as a Painted Turtle
My front claws let you know I 'm a guy

They are long and unruly

But don't me judge unduly

In the swamp, there's no manicure supplies.

Location: Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio

Sources: https://a-z-animals.com/blog/male-vs-female-painted-turtle-what-are-the-differences/

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.

June 18, 2026

I am a male House Finch

My color comes from the berries I eat

You might see a more yellow or orange House Finch

If that bird ate different berries than me.

Location: Town Suites, Oregon, Ohio

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

June 17, 2026

We are adult Canada Geese

We have beautiful goslings, we aint lyin'
It's a very little known nature fact

All our babies answer to the name "Ryan."

Location: Pearson Metro Park, Oregon, OH, Ottawa County, OH, USA

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

June 16, 2026

I am a White-breasted Nuthatch

In winter I forage with Titmice

They know where food's found

And when predators abound

There's safety in numbers, how nice!

Location: Pearson Metro Park, Oregon, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-breasted_Nuthatch/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.