July 4, 2026

I am a Savanna Sparrow

As mothers go,  I am the best

I gather food - up to 10x my weight 

Every day till my kids leave the nest.

Location: Curtice, OH

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

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.

July 3, 2026

I am known as a Killdeer

I like to hangout ion sandbars or mudflats

But you'll also see me in lawns or driveways

- Pretty much anywhere there's water or grass.

Location: Location: Curtice, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Killdeer/lifehistory

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.

July 2, 2026

I am known as an Eastern Parson Spider,

Because the mark on my abdomen looks like

A cravat worn by 19th century parsons

But unlike them, I don't give spiritual advice.

Location: Private residence, Warne, NC

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/2041

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.

July 1, 2026

I am a Black-collared Click Beetle

I like to live under bark

My body is copper colored and tapered

And my head is more reounded and dark.

Location: Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, OH

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/17644

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.

June 30, 2026

I am a female Horned Lark

I have a light brown mustache

There is a pale yellow tint to my throat

And I eat small seeds and insects for snacks.

Location: Tom Kennedy Memorial Park, Curtice, OH

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

June 29, 2026

This plant is Mountain Laurel

It's in the blueberry family

It has touch-sensitive anthers in it's corolla

That spring out to leave pollen-covered bees.

Location: Warne, NC

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/kalmia-latifolia/

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.

June 28, 2026

I am an Eastern Black Carpenter Ant

I was the first ant in the US given a name

In 1773

A scientist found me

In sawdust, "a carpenter ant!" he proclaimed!

(I'm dramatizing the situation here - but I assume that is how it happened:-)

Location: Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio

Sources: https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/carpenter-ants

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.