Dee At 8 A.M.

Monday, June 1, 2026

We are known as Tree Swallows

We eat insects and berries and fruit
We also scavenge compost for eggshells

When we need calcium to reproduce.

Location: Pearson Metropark Johlin Cabin Wildlife Viewing Area, Oregon, OH

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

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I am known as a Green Horsefly

In the US, I'm the only horse fly that's green

I'm crepuscular, I'm spectacular,

I have fuzzy white scapulars

I'm the prettiest bloodsucker that you've ever seen.

Thanks to our very special guest photographer, Heather Stapleton!

Location: Private residence, Vero

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/17583

I am a Hardwood Stump Borer Beetle

My name says all that you need to know

I bore holes in hardwood

To me, it tastes good,

My jaws are strong, watch your fingers and toes!

Thanks to our very special guest photographer, Heather Stapleton!

Location: Private residence, Vero

Sources: https://www.whatsthatbug.com/hardwood-stump-borer-all-you-need-to-know-explained-simply/

David and I recommend the following online resources for native plant identification:

A Photographic Atlas for Botany (Morrow) - Fantastic, full color online atlas.
Florida Wildflower Foundation - I use this as a reference for my blog frequently

This is the specific page that I showed in class, but please explore the whole site, it is wonderfully done.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - A concise, easy to use resource that I also use frequently as a reference for my blog.
iNaturalist.org: This is a good resource to narrow you down to at least a family. BUT - this is SO important - NEVER eat a plant based on a photo ID. Unless you have taken a science-based course on botany and plant identification, or are with someone who has, do NOT eat any plant in the wild. Remember - all plants are edible ONCE.

Offline (old fashioned "books") that are handy to have:

Florida Wildflowers in Their Natural Communities by Walter Kingley Taylor - Considered the classic Florida ID book, but can be difficult to find.
A Falcon Guide: Central Florida. Wildflowers - I like this book because it's organized by color, which is the first think I notice about a flower, although it is not always the most definitive identification key.
The Wildflower Book: East of the Rockies - A Complete Guide to Growing and Identifying Wildflowers - My mom in law just gave me this, so I have only had a chance to scan it, but it looks like a great resource, and the phots are awesome.
Guide to the vascular plants of central Florida by Richard P. Wunderlin - If you decide that you want to get seriously into botany, this is considered the bible of plant ID in Florida. This is a free edition.