August 2, 2021

I am a juvenile Royal Tern

Unlike my parents, I have bars on my wings

In addition, my legs are yellow, 

But sometimes shade can obscure such things. 

This is the answer to yesterday's mystery bird. Kind of a trick question as the Royal Tern was also last month's mystery bird, but I wanted to keep you all on your toes:-)

Location: Royal Palm Pointe Park, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Royal_Tern/photo-gallery/170459361

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 1, 2021

I am another mystery bird -

My ID is made harder cause I'm mooning you. 

Can you tell who I am by my feathers? 

If you know my age, that will be a clue.

Another mystery bird! If you can guess the bird, either email Dee or private message your guess in Facebook Messenger. Please do not post answers here, let everyone have a chance! Thanks. Winner will get to pick the subject of our next video. Note that there just might be a very special guest star filling in for David this week:-)

Location: Royal Palm Pointe Park, Vero Beach

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 31, 2021

I am known as a Gull-billed Tern

I eat a little differently than other terns

Instead of just fish, I happily exist

Eating fish, lizards, insects and birds!

Special thanks to guest photographer and my sweetheart, David Simpson.

Location: Bald Point State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gull-billed_Tern/lifehistory

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 30, 2021

This plant is known as Stokes' Aster,

It can grow cultivated or wild

To extend the bloom period, you can deadhead the plant

Then later collect seeds to get a Stokes' Aster child.

Special thanks to guest photographer and my sweetheart, David Simpson.

Location: Private residence, Blountston

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/stokesia-laevis

https://www.thespruce.com/why-you-should-be-deadheading-plants-2132406

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 29, 2021

This might be Whiteleaf Mountain Mint, 

But I wouldn't definitively swear - 

But I'm at least pretty sure it's in the mint family 

Due to the fact that its stalk is square.

Special thanks to guest photographer and my sweetheart, David Simpson.

Location: Private residence, Blountston, FL

Sources: http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/Plant_Identification/Patterns_in_Plants.htm

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 28, 2021

I am a Northern Bobwhite

I'm usually not up this high, I like the ground

I practice ambisexual polygamy

Which is just as salacious as it sounds.

Special thanks to guest photographer and my sweetheart, David Simpson.

Location: Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area

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

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 27, 2021

This is the Purple Coneflower

In Florida, it's an endangered plant

It only grows naturally in Gadsden county

Where bees and butterflies it doth enchant.

Special thanks to guest photographer and my sweetheart, David Simpson.

Location: Private residence, Blountston, FL

Sources: https://flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-echinacea-purpurea/

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson