April 29, 2026

This is Lantana camara

It's bark can be used to treat leprosy

But it's considered an invasive exotic

So saying it can do good might be called heresy.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://botany.biology.ufl.edu/news/2013/lantana-camara-lantana/

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.

April 28, 2026

This plant is called Scarlet Sesbane

It's a non-native and invasive

It has seeds that remain viable in the ground for years

Yet it's beauty is quite persuasive.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://plant-directory.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/sesbania-punicea/

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.

April 27, 2026

I am a Marbled Grasshopper

My tibias are orange or red but I'm mostly grey

My hindwings show a dark band in flight

I can be found from Florida to the great plains.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/9571

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.

April 26, 2026

I'm a male Common Hentz Jumping Spider

And much to Dee's surprise

If you click to enlarge this photo

You will see all 8 of my eyes!

(This is a teeny tiny spider [only 4-5 mm, or about .157 inches] - I was surprised my camera picked up all of his eyes.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/6792

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.

April 25, 2026

I am a Oblique Heterocampa Moth

I can be purple, tan, pink or green

But regardless of color, the diamond pattern

On my back can always be seen.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/prominent-moths (refer to photo#7 description)

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.

April 24, 2026

I am known as a Killdeer

I eat invertebrates such as crayfish and snails

I also follow plows

To see what they arouse

If it's larvae, they won't live to tell the tale!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

April 23, 2026

I am known as a Marbled Orbweaver

So named for my abdomen pattern

I'm more oval shaped than other orbweavers

If I wore a belt I would look like Saturn

Thanks to very special guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

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

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.