July 14, 2020

Location: Laramie, Wyoming, private residence

This is another plant from Wyoming
Penstemon eriantherus is its name.
It is in the Scrophulariaceae family
The Florida plant Verbascum's family is the same.

Today I continue my special series of guest photographers who are sheltering in place. I hope you all enjoy this trip around the world (and some a little closer!) 

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, Joy Handley.

Sources: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Penstemon eriantherus
Atlas of Florida Plants - Verbascum

Photo © 2020 Joy Handley, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 13, 2020

Location: (Top) Wyoming, Medicine Bow National Forest
(Bottom) Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

At the top here is Oxytropis lambertii from Wyoming
At the bottom, in Florida is a Butterfly Pea
Different states, on the same date, Dee and Joy
Both found plants in the Fabaceae (Pea) family
It’s easy to appreciate and marvel at
Botanical diversity!

Special thanks to guest photographer, Joy Handley.

Sources: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Oxytropis lambertii 

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Centrosema virginianum

Oxytropis lambertii photo © 2020 Joy Handley
Butterfly Pea photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 12, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

This is someone in the Tabanidae family
Possibly a Striped Horse Fly
Tabanids are native and beneficial pollinators
But the females have mean, nasty bites. 

Sources: UF | IFAS Features Creatures - Deer flies, Yellow Flies and Horse Flies

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 11, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I am a Leucauge argyra,
Eating lunch? For me it's no issue.
Into my web, my prey climbs,
I inject it with digestive enzymes,
Then drink up my prey's liquified tissue!

Note: Make sure you click to enlarge this one, you can see her spinnerets on her butt!

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures Orchard Orbweavers

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 10, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a Spotted-winged Grasshopper
Throughout the Americas, you can find my friends and I
We are a type of slant face grasshopper
In the family Acrididae.

Sources: Wikipedia - Orphulella pelidna

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 9, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I am a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
I'm non-native and a pest to veggies and fruit.
I am also hemimetabolous
Which means I don't go the pupation route.

Update: I have been informed that this ID might not be correct. Need to do further research. 

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures -  Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 8, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

This is Bejaria racemosa
It's common name is Tarflower,
Bees and other insects like this plant
But they get stuck on it's sticky flower.

Sources: Florida Native Plant Sociey - Bejaria racemosa

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson