April 19, 2026

We are known as Cedar Waxwings

Why are we called that? I'm glad you asked.

See the bright red wingtips 

In the first pic

It looks like I dipped them in red candle wax!

Location: North Sebastian Conservation Area

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

April 18, 2026

I am an adult Milkweed Bug

I'm in my 5th molt, so I'm ready to breed

I only eat seeds

Of the plant, Milkweed

Unlike Monarchs, I don't eat the leaves

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/milkweed-bug#:~:text=Milkweed%20bugs%2C%20Oncopeltus%20fasciatus%2C%20are,per%20day%20in%20small%20clusters.

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 17, 2026

I am a Monarch caterpillar

My current age is between 36 hours and 12 days

I'll curl up for a day, hanging from a leaf

Then it will only take me 3 minutes to pupate!

(Be sure to check out the link below to learn about the lifecycle, very cool photos.)

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://susanberkkoch.com/blog/monarchs-are-mythical-and-mysterious/

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 16, 2026

I am an adult Tricolored Heron

When I was younger I was more rusty

Occasionally my beak becomes a bright aqua color

It's a sign that I am feeling lusty.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

April 15, 2026

I am a male Boat-tailed Grackle

I mate using harem defense polygyny

I defend and mate with a group of females

But, they cheat on me when I leave the colony.

(According to the source article, only about 1/4 of the young in the colony are proven by DNA to be the dominant male's offspring!)

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Boat-tailed_Grackle/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.

April 14, 2026

We are both Little Blue Herons

But only one of us is blue

I am a juvenile, so I am still white

My friend's a happy adult, not blue through and through.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Little_Blue_Heron/id

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 13, 2026

This tree is a Carolina Willow

Its leaf shape reminds me of Weeping Willows back home

But the willow in Florida's much smaller

And the fruit opens to soft, white fur like the beard of a gnome.

(Special thanks to my bestie Heather for teaching me that the white furry stuff is coming out of the fruit!)

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stjohnsco/2021/03/15/carolina-willow/

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.