October 29, 2026

The holes in the leaf are perfect and round

The hole-maker's not here but they aren't at rest

They are using leaf bits

Combined with bee spit 

And pollen to wallpaper their nest.

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-leafcutter-bees/

Photo © 2026 Heather Stapleton 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.

October 28, 2026

I am a females American Redstart

I'm not bright and flashy like a male

But from this view

You don't have to guess "Who?"

You know I'm me by my yellow-patched tail.

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Redstart/photo-gallery/297029071

Photo © 2026 Heather Stapleton 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.

October 27, 2026

I am a Grasshopper Sparrow

So named for what I like to eat

I stay close to the ground

And whack them around

Then feed my babies legless grasshopper treats!

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Western St. Lucie County

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

October 26, 2026

We are three Chestnut-fronted Macaws
We briefly formed a rock band
The guy in the middle was our lead singer

But he is too pitchy so we had to disband.d.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Coral Reef Park Palmetto Bay, FL

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/chfmac1/cur/introduction

Photo © 2026 David Simpson 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.

October 25, 2026

I am a female Broad-billed Hummingbird

I'm only in Arizona when I'm breeding

Right now I'm looking for a mate

Who'll swing like a pendulum when I see him. 

Special thanks to today’s guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Miller Canyon, AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-billed_Hummingbird

Photo © 2026 David Simpson 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.

October 24, 2026

I am a Black-chinned Hummingbird

I like to winter on the Gulf of Mexico Coast

I will come to hummingbird feeders

But it's nectar from flowers I love the most.

Location: Miller Canyon AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-chinned_Hummingbird/overview

Photo © 2026 David Simpson 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.

October 23, 2026

I am known as a Say's Phoebe

Look at me mid-twerk

In this great shot

Showing all that I got

David's gonna put Dee out of work!

Special thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson

Location: Lake Cochise Wilcox AZ

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

Photo © 2026 David Simpson 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.