April 14, 2026

We are both Little Blue Herons

But only one of us is blue

I am a juvenile, so I am still white

My friend's a happy adult, not blue through and through.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

April 13, 2026

This tree is a Carolina Willow

Its leaf shape reminds me of Weeping Willows back home

But the willow in Florida's much smaller

And the fruit opens to soft, white fur like the beard of a gnome.

(Special thanks to my bestie Heather for teaching me that the white furry stuff is coming out of the fruit!)

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stjohnsco/2021/03/15/carolina-willow/

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.

April 12, 2026

I am known as a Luna Moth

In mythology, Luna is the personification of the moon

My antennae are fancy and feathery

And I have no mouth so I can't eat macaroons.

Location: DeLuca Preserve

Sources: https://www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/luna-moth

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.

April 11, 2026

This plant is Bulltongue Arrowhead

It grows well in swamps and marshes

It attracts bees and songbirds and other pollinators

But if want a close look, you should bring your galoshes.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sagittaria-lancifolia/

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.

April 10, 2026

I am an Orange Bluet damselfly

Alas, I am not long for this world

I accidentally flew into a spiderweb

I can't get out, no matter how hard I twirl!

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutinvertebrates/wildaboutdamselflies/family-coenagrionidae/wadforangebluet.html

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.

April 9, 2026

I am known as a Fragile Forktail Damselfly

I like to hang around on pondweeds or lilypads

My most defining feature is the

Horizontal exclamation marks on my thorax.

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutinvertebrates/wildaboutdamselflies/family-coenagrionidae/wadffragileforktail.html

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.

April 8, 2026

I am a Florida Red-bellied Cooter
I had an alligator for a nanny

My mom laid her eggs in the alligator's nest

And the gator protected me, it's all quite uncanny!

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

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

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.