March 28, 2026

This plant is known as Lyreleaf Sage

It helps bees to pollinate it -

When bees land on the lower lip of the plant

They get bathed in pollen when the stamens tip.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=saly2

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 27, 2026

This plant is Bay Lobelia

It grows best when the habitat's moist,

It is a perennial endemic

And it's purple flowers do not disappoint.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-lobelia-feayana/

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 26, 2026

We are immature Roseate Spoonbills

You can tell cause we look more fluffy

We also have orange beaks

And snuggle in the nest like best buddies.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

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 25, 2026

We are known as Wood Storks

Like the Snowy Egret, our shoes and sox don't match

Our feet are pink, 

But our mates think

That we are quite an attractive catch.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL  

Sources: 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 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.