July 28, 2026

I am a known as a Red-spotted Newt

I'm in the terrestrial adult stage of life

As an egg and larva I lived in the water

To where I'll return to find a breeding site.

Special thanks to today's first time guest photographer, Sammy McGee!

Location: Greybeard Mountain Trail Montreat, NC

Sources: https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/amphibians/salamanders/red-spotted-newt/index.php

Photo © 2026 Samantha McGee 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.

July 27, 2026

I am a Tawny-bellied Hermit

My beak is long and curved

I used it to catch arthropods and drink nectar

Conservation-wise, I'm a species of least concern.

Location: La Brisa (hummingbird feeders), Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/tabher1/cur/introduction

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.

July 26, 2026

I am a male White-booted Racket-tail

I’ve a long tail, and large white leg puffs

My mate has a short tail and much smaller boots

But for me, she is more than enough!

Location: Sachatamia Lodge, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/boorat1/cur/introduction

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.

July 25, 2026

I am a Giant Hummingbird

My beak is black, straight and stout

You might be confused by this photo, 

My beak is not curved, that’s my tongue sticking out!

Location: Antisana Ecological Reserve, Quijos, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/giahum1/cur/introduction

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.

July 24, 2026

I am a Purple-throated Woodstar

Though my throat can look black in flight

You will just have to trust me it’s glittery purple

When you catch me in just the right light!

(The female is shown in the second photo)

Location: Sachatamia Lodge, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/putwoo1/cur/introduction

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.

July 23, 2026

We are in the summer doldrums in Florida right now. Let's resume our (paused but not forgotten) Ecuador trip!

I am a male White-Whiskered Hermit

I am known to feed by trap-lining

This means that have a series of flowers I visit

At regular intervals for my nectar fine dining.

Location: Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/whwher1/cur/introduction#repro

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30585437/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4242162/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.

July 22, 2026

I am a Lesser Meadow Katydid

As the name suggests, I live in meadows and fields

I like to eat insects, flowers, and seeds

Whatever the meadow shall yield.

Location: Fellsmere Rd, Sebastian

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/118890-Conocephalus

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.