May 9, 2026

We are all Blister Beetles 

Though the specific species is hard to tell

We are mostly variations of orange and black

And are all fairly small and svelte.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN323

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.

May 8, 2026

This is Purple Passion Vine

It can climb or just sprawl on the ground

Its petals sport a wavy fringe

Reminiscent of that 60's hippie sound.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=pain6

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.

May 7, 2026

This is a Florida Pricklypear

It's a favorite food for many creatures

It's a beneficial plant in the environment

But hurts if it gets in your sneakers. 

(Not that I know from experience or anything...)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pascoco/2025/06/05/exploring-floridas-natives-the-prickly-pear/

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.

May 6, 2026

I am known as a Red-shouldered Hawk

I am Dee's 4000th iNaturalist observation,

We encourage you to learn iNaturalist yourself

Observation greatly helps conservation!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: Dee's video series about how to use iNaturalist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw7UG4BcJDK3fhZ7G7rLaO6-jgju5P8Rc

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.

May 5, 2026

I am a female Halloween Pennant

You can tell cause my wings are yellow

My mate is a brighter orange and stays

Attached when I lay eggs, clingy fellow!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_pennant
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_pennant#/media/File:Celithemis_eponina-mating.jpg

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.

May 4, 2026

I'm an adult Western Palm Warbler

If I was born east of Hudson Bay you could tell -

I would be much brighter yellow on my underparts

And I'd have yellow eyebrows as well.

Location: Wolf Branch Nature Preserve, Apollo Beach, FL

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

May 3, 2026

I'm an adult male Prairie Warbler

Cornell Lab refers to me as "dapper"

I take that as a compliment but feel a bit bad - 

My wife and kids are much drabber.

Location: Wolf Branch Creek Nature Preserve, Apollo Beach, FL

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