June 30, 2017

Location: Pelican Island NWR

I'm a Common Buckeye Butterfly,
I'm mostly orange and brown with purple eye spots.
When I'm a caterpillar I like to eat Snapdragons,
As a butterfly,  I like sunny, warm plots.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 29. 2017

Location: Sebastian, Sebastian Inlet State Park

This is known as a Willet,
In flight you can see his wings are striped black and white.
Although both the male and female take care of their young,
Only the male incubates eggs at night.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Willet

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 28, 2017

Location: Sebastian, Sebastian Inlet State Park

I'm a Ruddy Turnstone,
My name is my favorite past time,
I turn over rocks, I'm not looking for Hydrox,
I eat bugs and critters that wash up in the brine.

Sources: (1) Cornell Lab - Ruddy Turnstone

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 27, 2017

Location: Sebastian, Sebastian Inlet State Park

I am a Snowy Egret,
My sox are black and my shoes are yellow.
My beak is black and I have yellow lores,
And my feathers are white just like a marshmallow.

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 26, 2017

Location: Tavares

I'm an immature Purple Gallinule,
I look like my parents, but only from the knee down.
My beak is yellow, and I don't have a blue shield,
And my feathers are white, green and brown.

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 25, 2017

Location: Tavares

I'm a Purple Gallinule
I'm mostly purple with a candy corn beak.
Unlike the Common Gallinule I have a blue forehead,
And my iridescent feathers are far more tres chic.

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 24, 2017

Location: Titusville, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

I am a Golden-winged Skimmer,
A type of a dragonfly.
Or perhaps I am a young  Needham's Skimmer,
Dragonflys are hard to classify.

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 23, 2017

Location: Boynton Beach, Green Cay

I'm known as a Glossy Ibis,
I have a long beak that is curved pointing down.
I have long legs and am a wading bird,
And my feathers are iridescent purplish brown.

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 22, 2017

Location: Location

I'm a Golden Silk Spider,
I am a type of Orb Weaver.
I have a little black and white on me,
But mostly I'm colored like a golden retriever. 

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 21, 2017

Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

I'm a baby Piping Plover,
I look like mom and dad when they aren't breeding.
I was born upon a sandy beach,
And within hours I was feeding.

Sources: (1) Wikipedia, Piping Plover

Oh no! I started this entry and was overtired and  FORGOT TO HIT PUBLISH. Whimper. My streak of posting every day ends at 171. {sigh} Haha, worst part is, no one noticed :-)

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 20, 2017

Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

I'm an adult breeding Piping Plover,
I have a black stripe around my neck.
I have orange legs, and a bi-colored beak,
And between my eyes there's a tiny black speck!

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 19. 2017

Location: Jetty Park, Cape Canaveral

I'm a non-breeding adult Piping Plover
I'm white and grey with a white stripe round my neck.
I have some grey under neath my bill,
And to catch prey I run really fast and then peck.

Sources: (1) Cornell Lab - Piping Plover

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 18, 2017

Location: Jetty Park, Cape Canaveral

I'm a Snowy Plover,
I am a small, mostly white shorebird.
I have a black beak and eyes and grey legs,
And my call is a "husky, trill "purrt"¹

Sources: (1) Cornell All About Birds - Snowy Plover

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 17, 2017

Location: Fort Meyers, Edison and Ford Winter Estates

These are known as Banyans,
They're also known as "Walking" Trees
They grow in the tropics, but are native to India,
Where you can buy then for a few rupees.

Sources: (1) Encyclopedia of Life, Banyan Trees

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 16, 2017

Location: Titusville, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

I'm a Black and Yellow Argiope,
My venom's not harmful to humans¹
I might bite if you poke me, so just don't provoke me,
And I'll eat other bugs that can be a nuisance.

Footnote: (1) All spiders have venom, but in general, in Florida, only the Black Widow and Brown Widow have venom that is harmful to humans. Although there are many alleged bites from Brown Recluse spiders, in reality there are very few confirmed Brown Recluse spiders in Florida. They are always brought in via luggage, cars, packing crates and so forth and do not breed here.

Note though, that spider bites can be similar to bee stings in that some people can have allergic reactions.  People who are allergic to bee stings can die from just one sting, whereas in the general population, bees (and most spiders) are not harmful, and in fact are quite beneficial to humans.

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 15, 2017

Location: Peacock's Pocket, Titusville

I'm a Reddish Egret,
I have a grey body and red neck and head.
My bill's black and pink, and you probably think,
That I dance like a drunken coed. 

(Disclaimer: Due to a minor hand issue I've not been able to use my camera so am posting some older pictures of birds that I haven't included before on this blog.  I will resume my regular 8:00 am postings soon, but for now, please enjoy these blasts from the past.) 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 14, 2017

Location: Titusville, Enchanted Forest

I'm a Gopher Tortoise,
I'm known as keystone species.
I share my home with more than 350 friends -
It's a burrow that I dig with my feetsies.

Source: My FWC - Gopher Tortoise

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 13, 2017

Location: Location

I am known as a Bridled Tern,
So named for the white "strap" round my neck.
My diet consists, of mostly small fish,
I'n not often seen on shore, but from a boat deck.

Sources: Audubon Guide to Birds - Bridled Tern

This is the last day of Tortugapalooza. I hope you have enjoyed it. Tomorrow we return to the mainland, back to the wilds of Fellsmere!

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 12, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I am known as a Merlin,
I am a small but fast bird of prey.
My mate and I will catch dinner together,
And I'll impress her with an aerial display.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Merlin

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 11, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I am a Yellow Warbler,
I'm mostly yellow with large, black eyes.
I have been known to build a multi-tiered nest,
If my first nest is parasitized.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Yellow Warbler

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 10, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I am a Chestnut-sided Warbler,
I've got a black mustache and a yellow forehead.
I have chestnut streaks across my wings,
And I say "Pleased to MEETCHA" when there's a girl to be courted.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Chestnut-sided Warbler

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 9, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I am a Yellow-billed Cuckoo,
Named for my mostly yellow bill.
I can eat 100 caterpillars in one sitting,
But mostly I sit very still.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 8, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I am a Black and White Warbler.
My description is the same as my name.
I like to pluck insects from moss,
Conveniently, Mniotilta is my genus name.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Black and White Warbler

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 7, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I am an Eastern Wood Pewee,
I'm mostly grey with distinctive long wings.
I have a slight point on the top of my head,
And I nest in trees and saplings.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Eastern Wood-Peewee

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 6, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I am a Northern Parula,
I'm blue-grey with a yellow chin and chest.
I have two white bars across my wings,
And I use epiphytes to build my nest.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Norther Parula

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 5, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I am a Magnolia Warbler,
I have a yellow chest with a black necklace and stripes.
By back is grey and black with white accents,
And I like to eat spiders, insects and larvae.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Magnolia Warbler

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 4, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I'm an Atlantic Ghost Crab
I have 8 walking legs and 2 claws that I use like hands.
My burrow can be up to four feet deep,
And I can disappear right into the sand.

Sources: Chesapeake Bay Program - Atlantic Ghost Crabs

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 3, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I am a decapod crustacean
Known as a Hermit Crab,
I don't need a shiny new Winnebago,
I just carry my house around on my back.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 2, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I'm known as a Catbird
My butt has a bright red hue
The rest of me's grey, with a black beret,
When I turn my back, you know that you've been mooned.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 1, 2017

Location: Dry Tortugas

I am an Eastern Kingbird,
I'm dark grey on top and white down below.
I'm the summer I eat bugs and beat up other Kingbirds,
But in winter I'm a more social fellow.

Sources: Cornell All About Birds - Eastern Kingbird

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson