March 22, 2026

I am a Red-winged Blackbird

Look at how pretty my shoulder is

Wait! You don't look impressed enough!

NOW TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!!!

(This is a true story. I am positive this is what this Red-winged Blackbird was saying to me. I've never had one show me both shoulders at the same time before!)

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Chrismas FL

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

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 20, 2026

I am known as a Swallow-tailed Kite

I usually look more dignified than this 

But some stupid bug is dive bombing me

And to be honest, I'm getting quite ticked!

(I couldn't get a photo of whatever it was that was bothering the poor bird, but it was driving him nuts. I really hope it doesn't stop him from coming back to our yard!)

Location: My House, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swallow-tailed_Kite/id

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 19, 2026

The red plant here is Carolina Water-Hyssop

It's a wildflower in the Plantian family
If you crush its leaves they smell like lemon

This plant is considered butterfly friendly.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/bacopa-caroliniana/

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 18, 2026

I am an Eastern Meadowlark

But I'm not related to Larks at all

I'm more closely related to Blackbirds

And Cowbirds and Orioles.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Meadowlark/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 17, 2026

I am a Southern Live Oak

But I don't know how much longer I'll be

It's not that I try to hide the truth

Yet people say they can see through me!

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUVI

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 16, 2026

I am a Red-banded Hairstreak

I eat nectar from milkweed and dogbane

As a caterpillar 

I ate leaf litter

I'm an adult now, my taste sure has changed!

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/butterfly/red-banded-hairstreak/

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 15, 2026

I am a Brown-winged Striped Sweat Bee

Look on the flower, I'm the metallic green spot

I'm abundant, but need sandy soil for nesting

If you don't see me, that could be why not.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee,

Sources: https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.882084/Agapostemon_splendens

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.