August 31, 2020

This used to be a Rough Greensnake
Sadly, it has now expired.
It might have been predated or hit by a car
To tell for sure, a necropsy would be required.

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: Jacobson, E. R. Reptile Necropsy Protocol. The Journal of Zoo Animal Medicine, vol. 9, no. 1, 1978, pp. 7–13. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20460184. Accessed 26 Aug. 2020.

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 30, 2020

This is a Peruvian Primrose-Willow,
It's an invasive exotic found near ditches and canals
It is native in South America
But has invaded southern US locales.

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ANS/erss/highrisk/ERSS-Ludwigia-peruviana-FINAL.pdf

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 29, 2020

I am a female Short-winged Green Grasshopper, If I was male, on my back you'd see some green
Males stridulate during mating to repel other males
And to look super sexy to me.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: http://dpr.ncparks.gov/orth/view.php?checklist_number=17.0

https://www.amentsoc.org/insects/glossary/terms/stridulation

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 28, 2020

This is known as Fourpetal St. Johnswort,
It's common in Florida flatwoods and sandhills
This is not the plant alleged to help depression
Unless looking at pretty flowers can cure your ills.

From the article linked below: "Caution: The St. John’s wort that is promoted as a supplement for use in treating depression is a non-native species. According to Dan Austin in his book, Florida Ethnobotany, using native St. John’s wort can lead to dermatitis or photosensitization due to a hypericin compound found in the plants."

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-hypericum-tetrapetalum/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 27, 2020

This is the skin that a snake has shed
I'd guess a Black Racer cause I've seen them in my yard
But to tell for sure I'd need to look for clues
And turn the skin right-side out, which is hard.

Location: Fellsmere, my house

Sources: https://www.hobbyfarms.com/how-to-identify-a-shed-snakeskin/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 26, 2020

I am known as a Black-necked Stilt,
I'm the same family as the Avocet
Although it's rare, we can hybridize,
And an Avo-stilt is what we get.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Everglades Agricultural Area, Palm Beach County

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-necked_Stilt/overview

Photo  © 2020 David Simpson , text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 25, 2020

I am known as a Water Moccasin
Though some people also call me Cottonmouth
I'm fairly large and venomous
And I am feared throughout the south.

Although I can definitely hurt you,
I am not aggressive and just want to escape
But people kill my type as well as harmless watersnakes
Because they resemble me in a superficial way.

Special thanks to guest photographer (and my sweetheart) David Simpson.

Location: Harney Pond Canal

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-snakes/list/agkistrodon-piscivorus-piscivorus

Photo © 2020 David Simpson, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 24, 2020

I am a Ghost Bulimulus
In Florida you can find me both near and far
I used to get around via the railroad,
But now I also travel by car.

Note: I have been finding these exotics at the St. Sebastian River Preserve State park. Recently, while doing a Scrub Jay survey, I came back to my car and found the top and bottom snails shown here on my windshield and car roof. I removed them both from my car. The next day, I came out of my house and found the middle one my garage. I assume that he was a hitchhiker that I missed. 

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, my house (middle photo)

Sources: https://www.jaxshells.org/gallery5.htm

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 23, 2020

I am a  Band-winged Dragonlet
The southern US and South America are my typical range
But I have been seen as far north as Michigan
Possibly due to climate change.

Location: Fellsmere, my yard

Sources: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259801268_Erythrodiplax_umbrata_Odonata_Libellulidae_New_for_Michigan

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 22, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I am a Pearl Crescent Butterfly
I live throughout the eastern United States
If I emerge in the spring or fall
My wings will have different traits.

Note: As described in the linked article, "Spring and fall broods (form marcia) have a gray mottled hindwing below."

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America - Pearl Crescent

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 21, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I am known as a Tersa Sphinx moth
When I was a caterpillar I was black and green
I used to have legs and eat wild coffee
You'd never guess that now, looking at me.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America - Tersa Sphinx

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 20, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a Florida Box Turtle,
In the north in the winter I hibernate
When I lay eggs, if the weather is hot
I will have a higher female hatch rate.

Sources: Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) - Terrapene carolina

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 19, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I am known as a Black Stink Bug
I appear to be a facultative feeder
I can change how I eat based on what's around
Such as bugs or plants - I can eat either.

Note: To quote David Simpson, "Facultative feeders are a subset of omnivores that switch modes rather than just eat everything all the time.  Over a long time they are omnivores, but in a short time period they may be insectivores, herbivores, etc." 

As described in the article linked below, “Although the black stink bug is a phytophagous species, it can also be predaceous, and has been found attacking insect larvae in cotton.”

Sources: UF|IFAS Featured Creatures - Black stink bug

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 18, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am an American Bird Grasshopper
I am known to defoliate citrus
When my friends and I gather in large numbers
We eat leaves and will not leave a witness.

Sources: UF|IFAS Featured Creatures - American Grasshopper

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 17, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a Spinybacked Orbweaver,
I'm the only species in my genus found in the new world
It's theorized that I make little tufts in my web
To make it more noticeable to birds.

Sources: UF|IFAS Featured Creatues - Spinybacked orbweaver

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 16, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, my yard

I am a Zebra Longwing
Pollinating a firebush
My black and yellow stripes are aposematic
Which means they tell predators I don't taste good.

Sources: UF|IFAS Featured Creatures - Zebra Longing 

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 15, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am an adult Eastern Towhee,
I live in Florida, so I have white eyes
If I lived further north, my eyes would be red
But I'd still have a dark head and roufus sides.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Eastern Towhee

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 14, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

This is a Eryngium aromaticum
Commonly known as Fragrant Eryngo
Plants in the Eryngiun genus are called "rattlesnakemasters"
But they can't really treat snake bites, so be careful, bro.

Note: Yesterday's blog was technically incorrect. Fortunately I have a great friend and Botanist to keep me honest. I have rewritten it with input and much thanks to Joy Handley! 

Sources: Florida Wildflower Foundation - Interesting Eryngiums

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 13, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

This is a Fewflower Blazing Star
It is loved by butterflies and bees
It is one of many species in the genus Liatris
Which is in the Asteraceae family.

Note: This poem was originally incorrect. Fortunately I have a great friend and Botanist to keep me honest. Thanks so much to Joy Handley for the corrections!

Sources: UF | IFAS Gardening Solutions - Liatris

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 12, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a molting Northern Mockingbird,
When I start to molt can depend on breeding
I'm one of the the few birds that can overlap
Molting my feathers while the kids are still feeding.

Sources: Molt-Breeding Overlap in Northern Mockingbirds

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 11, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a Florida Scrub-Jay,
I hope my looks don't give you jolt
But I get uglier before I get pretty
During the time that I molt.

Sources: Angry Birds: Why Molting Makes Our Feathered Friends Grumpy

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 10, 2020

Location: Moore Haven

I am a Florida Box Turtle

North America's the only place I am found

Unfortunately I'm a popular house hold pet

So you might find me out of my own stomping grounds. 

Special thanks to guest photographer and my sweetheart, David Simpson.

Sources: Animal Diversity Web - Terrapene carolina - Florida Box Turtle

Photo © 2020 David Simpson, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 9, 2020

Location: Vero Beach, private residence

I am known as a Tobacco Hornworm

I'm the caterpillar of the Carolina Sphinx

I'm known to defoliate tomatoes and peppers

If you were planning to make spaghetti sauce, this really stinks. 

Special thanks to guest photographer, Heather Stapleton.

Sources: UF|IFAS Featured Creatures Tobacco Hornworm

Photo © 2020 Heather Stapleton, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 8, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am known as an Oak Toad

I'm small and my skin is warty

The bottom of my feet are orange

And I've a racing stripe on my back that's quite sporty.

Special thanks to guest photographer and my sweetheart, David Simpson.

Sources: UF Wildlife Johnson Lab - Oak Toad

Photo © 2020 David Simpson, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 7, 2020

Location: Moore Haven

I am a Southern Florida Swamp Snake

I'm red on my belly and black on the top

I'm non-venomous and harmless

And I'm aquatic and live in the swamp.

Special thanks to guest photographer and my sweetheart, David Simpson.

Sources: Florida Museum - Southern Florida Swamp Snake 

Photo © 2020 David Simpson, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 6, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a molting Florida Scrub-Jay

I don't normally have poofy white eyebrows

I'm usually sleek and tidy

Unlike the hot mess you're looking at now. 

Sources: Dee at 8:00 a.m. - Scrub Jays

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 5, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am known as a Horse Guard Wasp,

So called because I eat Horseflies.

This is a good thing, because Horseflies sting, 

Transmit diseases, and can make people cry!

Sources: BugGuide - Species Stictia carolina - Horse Guard Wasp

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 4, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a male Northern Bobwhite

You can tell by my black eyestripe

If I were female my eyestripe would be lighter brown

In the southwest you might see a rare Masked Bobwhite.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Northern Bobwhite

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 3, 2020

Location: Mattawamkeag, Maine

I am a female Eastern Dobsonfly

During breeding I can lay 1000 eggs

My mate has large sickle-like jaws

And as adults we live three to eight days.

Special thanks to guest photographer (and my big brother) Wayne Blanchard. 

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures - Eastern Dobsonfly

Photo © 2020 Wayne Blanchard, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 2, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a baby Gopher Tortoise

I am an ectotherm, which means I depend on the sun.

My mom laid between six and 8 eggs

I'm probably the only one left having fun*.

* As mentioned in the article below, "Within a few weeks of eggs being laid, up to 87% of nests may be predated upon, according to one study."

Sources: Animal Diversity Web: Gopherus polyphemus (Florida) Gopher Tortoise

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 1, 2020

Location: Taylor Creek/Nubbins Slough Conservation Area, Okeechobee

I am a White Peacock butterfly

Landing on some Frog Fruit
This was my host plant when I was caterpillar

But now I'm covered by scales and am far less hirsute.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America: White Peacock

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson