March 24, 2026

We are a Roseate Spoonbill and a Woodstork

Individually, we both seem like large birds

But when seen together the difference is striking

The Woodstork is larger by about two-thirds

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Spoonbill/id

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Stork/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 23, 2026

I am a male Common Gallinule

I'm trying to be discrete

But it's breeding time

We don't need wine

Well, that was fast, breeding's complete.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Gallinule/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 22, 2026

I am a Red-winged Blackbird

Look at how pretty my shoulder is

Wait! You don't look impressed enough!

NOW TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!!!

(This is a true story. I am positive this is what this Red-winged Blackbird was saying to me. I've never had one show me both shoulders at the same time before!)

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Chrismas FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-winged_Blackbird/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.

March 20, 2026

I am known as a Swallow-tailed Kite

I usually look more dignified than this 

But some stupid bug is dive bombing me

And to be honest, I'm getting quite ticked!

(I couldn't get a photo of whatever it was that was bothering the poor bird, but it was driving him nuts. I really hope it doesn't stop him from coming back to our yard!)

Location: My House, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swallow-tailed_Kite/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.

March 19, 2026

The red plant here is Carolina Water-Hyssop

It's a wildflower in the Plantian family
If you crush its leaves they smell like lemon

This plant is considered butterfly friendly.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/bacopa-caroliniana/

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 18, 2026

I am an Eastern Meadowlark

But I'm not related to Larks at all

I'm more closely related to Blackbirds

And Cowbirds and Orioles.

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Meadowlark/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 17, 2026

I am a Southern Live Oak

But I don't know how much longer I'll be

It's not that I try to hide the truth

Yet people say they can see through me!

Location: DeLuca Preserve, Okeechobee

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

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.