April 2, 2026

I am a very small baby Alligator

That flower above my head is maybe 4 inches across

I'm vulnerable to predators like racoons and birds

My mom should be watching me, but she is not!

Location:  Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/facts/

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 1, 2026

I am an American Alligator

Birds are not always something I eat

My diet tends to consist

Of lots of fish,

But if a bird is slow and within my reach...

(After much discussion of color, size, etc, David and I determined that this was a Great Blue Heron in this Alligator's mouth. But not necessarily the mate from the previous post.) 

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/facts

https://myfwc.com/media/1743/alligator-rice-a.pdf

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.

March 31, 2026

[part 1]

I am a mom Great Blue Heron

My husband's out "hunting for food"

He thinks he's Prince Charming

But my kids are starving

I hope he's not up to no good...

[part 2 tomorrow, but serious caution to parents of small kids, it might be too intense for little eyes. ]

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

March 30, 2026

This is known as Iris savannarum

Commonly known as a Prairie Iris

It grows well on the edges of wetlands

As it prefers moisture to dryness.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/iris-savannarum#gsc.tab=0

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.

March 29, 2026

This is a Florida Violet

It has a whitish fruit that produces many seeds

Its flowers can be made in to jelly

And it's leaves are high in vitamins A and C

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VISO

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.

March 28, 2026

This plant is known as Lyreleaf Sage

It helps bees to pollinate it -

When bees land on the lower lip of the plant

They get bathed in pollen when the stamens tip.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=saly2

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.

March 27, 2026

This plant is Bay Lobelia

It grows best when the habitat's moist,

It is a perennial endemic

And it's purple flowers do not disappoint.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-lobelia-feayana/

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.