December 31, 2020

I am a female Belted Kingfisher,

I have a chestnut band across my tummy

Scientist don't know why I have this band -

The issue requires more study.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/why-do-female-belted-kingfishers-have-an-extra-rust-colored-belt-that-the-males-dont-have/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 30, 2020

I am a female Gulf Fritillary

You know because I'm a little bit darker than my mate

The three white dots on my forewing are bordered by black.

The difference is subtle, I'm just a tad more ornate.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/gulf_fritillary.htm

https://www.butterfliesathome.com/gulf-fritillary-butterfly.htm

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 29, 2020

I am known as a Snowy Egret

I can be found in North, Central and South America

Due to my feet some folks call me "Golden Slippers"

But that name is quite chimerical.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/snowy-egret

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 28, 2020

I am a male Queen butterfly

You can tell by the black spot on my hind wing.

I use my hairpencil to spread my scent

If a girl likes my smell, we have a sweet fling.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: 

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Danaus_gilippus/

https://bugguide.net/node/view/157126

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair-pencil

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 27, 2020

I am a male Boat-tailed Grackle,

Scientist used to think me and the 

Great-tailed Grackle were the same

But I am usually found near saltwater, 

And they live anywhere with water, shelter and grain. 

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Boat-tailed_Grackle/species-compare/67363291

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 26, 2020

I am a Double-crested Cormorant

Lecturing two Florida Red-bellied Cooters

We have to hold classes in person -

We don't have the internet, computers or routers. 

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 25, 2020

I am a male Red-winged Blackbird

At mating time I'm a lucky guy

I'm polygynous and can have many girlfriends

In one year I can breed with at least five!

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 24, 2020

I am a female Red-bellied Woodpecker

Shown here (at the top) with my mate below

Sadly, I am the one with male-pattern baldness

On top of my head, the red feathers don't grow!

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker/overview

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 23. 2020

I am a Common Grackle

Me and my friends eat tons of rice, corn and cantaloupe. 

We are not monogamous, so don't even ask

I won't marry you and I can't elope.

Location: Captain Forster's Hammock, Jungle Trail, Vero

Sources: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/reports/Wildlife%20Damage%20Management%20Technical%20Series/Grackles_WDM%20Technical%20Series_April%202020.pdf

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 22, 2020

I am known as a Blue Jay,

I can be a little punk

I've even been known to eat other birds

When I am out running amok.

(Special thanks to David Simpson for co-writing this one with me.)

Location: Captain Forster's Hammock, Jungle Trail, Vero

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 21, 2020

I am an Eastern Cottontail

The Marsh Rabbit is my closest relative

Their tails are dark on the underside

"My tail's white." is a fact, and is also declarative.

Location: Captain Forster's Hammock, Jungle Trail, Vero

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

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-declarative-sentences-with-examples#what-is-a-declarative-sentence

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 20, 2020

I am known as an Osprey,

I often nest on human-made platforms or poles

I build a big nest out of sticks, seaweed and grass, 

Then my chicks fledge when 2 or 3 months old. 

Location: Captain Forster's Hammock, Jungle Trail, Vero

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

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 19, 2020

I am known as a Corn Snake,

I'm not venomous, I'm a constrictor

That means when I find a tasty mouse

I wrap around her then then tightly grip her.

Location: Captain Forster's Hammock, Jungle Trail, Vero

Sources: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/corn-snake

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 18, 2020

I am a Yellow-throated Warbler, 

I like to hang out in live oaks and pines

I forage for bugs that hide in tree bark 

Or sometimes I grab bugs in mid-air as they fly.

Location: Captain Forster's Hammock, Jungle Trail, Vero

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/yellow-throated-warbler

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 17, 2020

I am a Southern Carpenter Bee,

I'm mostly metallic blue

Girl Carpenter Bees sting, but rarely,

Boy Carpenter Bees won't ever hurt you.

Location: Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area

Sources: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/bees/xylocopa.htm

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 16, 2020

I am a Dorantes Longtail skipper

When I was a larvae I ate legumes such as blue peas

As an adult, in the winter I feed at flowers

And perch upside down under leaves.

Location: Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Urbanus-dorantes

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 15, 2020

I am a Barred Yellow butterfly

I live in disturbed areas like roadsides and ditches

When I am in my larval form

I think Pencilflowers taste delicious.

Location: Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/butterfly/barred-yellow-barred-sulphur/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 14, 2020

I am a Sleepy Orange butterfly

But I'm not sleepy, I fly very fast

I got my name from the tiny spot on my wings

That looks like a sleepy eyelash. 

Location: Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area

Sources: https://alabama.butterflyatlas.usf.edu/species/details/1/sleepy-orange

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 13, 2020

I am a Double-banded Plushback,

A species of "Syrphid" or  "Flower" fly

I look like a bee but I'm much cooler

I wear Ray-bans to cover my eyes.

Location: Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area

Sources: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/NE/syrphid_flies.html

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 12, 2020

I'm an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

I have a large, broad head and diamonds on my back

I can strike using 2/3 of my body

Don't get too close or you might get whacked.

(Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are venomous - do not attempt to pick one up or get too close. Most people who get hurt in the wild get hurt because they were doing something unwise. In general, most snakes do not want to hurt you, they just want to get away. That said, like any living thing, snakes will attack when they feel threatened.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/snakes/eastern-diamondback/

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

December 11, 2020

I am a Wingless Meadow Katydid

Though my name is a misnomer

I do have little, tiny wings,

But to see them, you'll have to look closer.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/96217

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 10, 2020

I am a Northern Plushback

I'm a type of Flower Fly

I look like a bee, but I don't sting

But predators pass me right by.

As described in the article referenced below, many butterflies and other flies mimic "...unrelated harmful species as a form of protection from predators."

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/2015/06/hoverflies-bee-mimics-provide-pollination-and-biocontrol-services

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 9, 2020

I am a Crane Fly in the Infraorder Tipulomorpha, 

"Mosquito hawk" is what some people call me

But I neither hunt mosquitos or bite like them

In fact, I'm a harmless nectar devotee.

Make sure you check out the article linked below, it's a fascinating look into the lives of both Crane Flies and the entomologist who has described over 11,000 species of them!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entomologytoday.org/2015/08/17/mosquito-hawk-skeeter-eater-giant-mosquito-no-no-and-no/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 8, 2020

We are juvenile Bald Eagles

We were born earlier this year

We don't have a white head like our mom and dad

But that will come in a few years, don't you fear!

Note: We are pretty sure that these are the offspring of the eagles I monitor. They were born this spring and were just getting ready to fledge when the park was closed for COVID. The second photo shows what we think might be the baby from last year being chased out of the territory by one of his parents because they are getting ready to have a new brood now. The other 2 photos are the 2 from this year goofing off. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/birdwire-features/how-to-identify-bald-eagles

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 7, 2020

Special Video Edition!

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road

Video and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 6, 2020

I am known as a Black Vulture

I'm more aggressive than my Turkey Vulture counterpart

I'll eat dead stuff if I find it, but I'll also 

Kill and eat things that have a beating heart.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/raptors-and-vultures/vultures/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 5, 2020

I'm known as a Green Heron

I hang out near ponds and streams

I tend to be by myself a lot

I'm just solitary, not mean. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/green-heron

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 4, 2020

I am a Delaware Skipper

I'm triangular with bright orange wings

My wings have a black border, and in general

My undersides do not have any markings.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Anatrytone-logan

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 3, 2020

I am known as a White Peacock 

I'm in the family of brush-footed butterflies

Our front legs are smaller,

Can't be used for walking

But with the other 4 we get around fine. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/taxonomy/Nymphalidae

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 2, 2020

I am a Dainty Sulphur

I am yellow with little black spots

I have dark yellow/orange on my forewings

And live by roadsides and other disturbed plots.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/butterfly/dainty-sulphur/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 1, 2020

I am known as Ceraunus Blue,

I like to live in scrubs, roadsides and yards.

I can be found throughout all of Florida

But I'm tiny, so finding me can be hard.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/ceraunus_blue.htm

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson