September 21, 2026

I am known as a Brown Basilisk

In Florida, I was introduced by pet owners

You might see me walking on water sometimes

I don't need a canoe, unlike rowers.

Location: McKee Gardens, Vero Beach

Sources: https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW497

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.

September 20, 2026

I am a type of Wall Spider

At the moment I'm on a toilet seat

But I was saved from a fate much worse than death - 

Being sat on by a big-butted Dee.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/190874

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.

September 19, 2026

I am a species of Wolf Spider

I'm female and a mom, that much is certain

I carry my babies on my back

A mom's love is never a burden. 

(I found this spider on the floor of Dollar General. The clerk thought I was nuts for picking it up and taking it outside and was totally freaked out by it. I didn't even realize till I was photographing her that she had babies. I felt bad that we probably lost some during the move but it was clear that someone else was going to stomp on her if didn't  take her outside.)

Location: (One of the many) Dollar General, Sebastian

Sources: https://www.britannica.com/animal/wolf-spider

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.

September 18, 2026

I am a Red-headed Woodpecker 

Looking all artsy and dramatic

When you don't have the talent

To shoot color-balanced

You edit the photo, it's not art, it's pragmatic.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.iphotography.com/blog/mastering-white-balance-your-key-to-vibrant-photo-colours/

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.

September 17, 2026

We are known as Barn Swallows

Shown  here posing for our class pictures

Unfortunately there is always someone

Who forgets to dress up, it figures!

Location: Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

September 16, 2026

We are two adult female Wild Turkeys

Shown here with a few of our kids

After breading season

We group up for a reason:

As soon as our eggs hatch, our marriages hit the skids.*

*Adult males take off as soon as the eggs hatch. The females and babies form flocks as there is safety in numbers.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

September 15, 2026

I am a breeding female Peter's Rock Agama

In the process of shedding my skin

I'm shown here with 2 good lookin' adult males

My kids will probably look like one of them!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/lizards/peters-rock-agama/

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.