February 3, 2026

I am an American Kestrel

My population is in decline

After decades of research, the reasons aren't clear

For details, see the Peregrine Fund online.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: The Peregrine Fund: https://peregrinefund.org/american-kestrel-project

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.

February 2, 2026

I am a Phaon Crescent

Named for an ugly, old boatman in Greek mythology
Aphrodite turned the boatman young and beautiful

With her knowledge of cosmetology.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaon

https://www.flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-phaon-crescent/

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.

February 1, 2026

I am an American Robin

One of the few Dee has seen this year

They are late in migrating to Florida

The food must be better up north than here!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://swibirds.org/blog/where-have-the-robins-gone

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.

January 31, 2026

This is one of Dee's favorite plants

Commonly known as Pink Sundew

It's bright red and pink

You never would think

It eats insects that get stuck in its goo.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-drosera-capillaris/

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.

January 30, 2026

I am a Red-cockaded Woodpecker

I'm probably female based on my foraging location

Males generally forage in the upper branches and crown

The lower trunk's my favorite foraging destination.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.fws.gov/species/red-cockaded-woodpecker-dryobates-borealis

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.

January 29, 2026

I am a Green Iguana

In south Florida I live high in the trees

But in certain weather 

I can't hold it together

Cold weather can bring me to my knees.

Thanks to very special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Green Cay Nature Center & Wetland, Palm Beach County, Florida

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

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/weather/2025/11/10/cold-weather-in-florida-may-cause-iguanas-to-fall-from-trees/87199396007/

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.

January 28, 2026

I am a male Painted Bunting

I eat seeds for most of the year

But when I am breeding

It's bugs I be eating

I'll even swipe from spider webs a snack souvenir.

Thanks to very special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Green Cay Nature Center & Wetlands, Palm Beach County, Florida

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Painted_Bunting/lifehistory

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.