September 25, 2026

I am a White Peacock Butterfly

When I was an egg, I was small and green

As a caterpillar I was black with white/silver dots

Then a chrysalis, and now I am me!

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

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

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.

September 24, 2026

I am an adult male Blue Dasher Dragonfly
My mates's abdomen is darker with yellow stripes

I only have yellow stripes on my thorax

But our faces are both mostly white. 

(Just to clarify - these are 2 different views of the same male dragonfly. The Bugguide entry linked below has a great comparison between male, female and juvenile Blue Dashers with great photos. I highly recommend checking it out.)

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/598

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.

September 23, 2026

This plant is Tropical Milkweed

It looks a bit like a ballerina

Unfortunately, it harms Monarch Butterflies

Too bad there's no Monarch Chow made by Purina.

(Please review the linked graphic below, it gives an excellent concise explanation of how Tropical [versus Native] Milkweed harms Monarch butterflies.)

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

Sources: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsboroughco/files/2025/11/Monarch-Milkweed-graphic.jpg

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsboroughco/2025/11/05/plant-status-change-tropical-milkweed-is-now-listed-as-a-category-ii-invasive/

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.

September 22, 2026

This is a Yellow Shrimp plant

Also called "Lollipop'

It's easy to propagate from cuttings

But not in a copy shop.

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP452/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.

September 21, 2026

I am known as a Brown Basilisk

In Florida, I was introduced by pet owners

You might see me walking on water sometimes

I don't need a canoe, unlike rowers.

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW497

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.

September 20, 2026

I am a type of Wall Spider

At the moment I'm on a toilet seat

But I was saved from a fate much worse than death - 

Being sat on by a big-butted Dee.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/190874

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.

September 19, 2026

I am a species of Wolf Spider

I'm female and a mom, that much is certain

I carry my babies on my back

A mom's love is never a burden. 

(I found this spider on the floor of Dollar General. The clerk thought I was nuts for picking it up and taking it outside and was totally freaked out by it. I didn't even realize till I was photographing her that she had babies. I felt bad that we probably lost some during the move but it was clear that someone else was going to stomp on her if didn't  take her outside.)

Location: (One of the many) Dollar General, Sebastian

Sources: https://www.britannica.com/animal/wolf-spider

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.