February 28, 2021

I am a Common Buckeye

I live in the southern US and Mexico

Our range is expanding northward

In Canada a few of us have summer homes.

Location: Indian River Lagoon Preserve State Park

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 27, 2021

I am a Great Southern White butterfly

You can ID me by my turquoise antennal clubs

You can find me in coastal habitats

Fluttering amongst wildflowers and buds.

Location: Indian River Lagoon Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/butterfly/great-southern-white/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 26, 2021

I am in the family of Penaeid Shrimps

Other species in my family are human food

Apparently we are quite tasty

And many birds like to snack on us too!

(Click to enlarge the photo - there is a shrimp in the Sanderling's mouth.)

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penaeidae

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 25, 2021

I am known as a Royal Tern

In non-breeding plumage I look like Danny Devito

When I'm breeding I have full head of black hair

Sometimes it's better to go incognito.

(When I wrote this, I pictured a post-breeding male on the Maury Povich show saying, "I am NOT the father, that guy had a full head of black hair!")

Special thanks to Tanya R. for the Danny Devito comparison!

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Royal_Tern/id

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 24, 2021

We are known as Black Skimmers

Our upper and lower mandibles are not the same size

When we were born our mandibles were equal

But they grew uneven before we could fly.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rynchops_niger/#2ac3c93b9a41483bb6d344d5c8c5bf62

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 23, 2021

I am known as a Sanderling

I breed in the Arctic tundra

If I'm non-breeding I'll stay in my wintering grounds

On almost any warm beach in the world*, ain't I a wondah?

* Including beaches in New England, which is why some of us don't pronounce R's.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sanderling/maps-range

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 22, 2021

I am an adult Brown Pelican

My open mouth is like an abyss

It's coming up on breeding season

And I got a kiss no pelican can resist.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 21, 2021

I am a Brown Pelican

If I have lice, they are brown like me. 

If I was a White Pelican my lice would be white

For the lice, it's evolutionary.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/science/07obparasite.html

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 20, 2021

I am a breeding Brown Pelican

You can tell because my head is yellow. 

I like to dive or forage for fish

When I am a hungry fellow. 

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Pelican/id

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 19, 2021

I am an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull

Like a Herring Gull, we're both big fellows

But my wings are darker and bigger than his,

And his adult legs are pink, but mine are yellow.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Herring_Gull/species-compare/37801291

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 18, 2021

I am known as a Herring Gull, 

I'm a heavy-set butterball

You can easily pick me out of a flock of gulls

I'd be the linebacker if gulls played football. 

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Herring_Gull/id

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 17, 2021

I am a Purple Sandpiper,

I'm the northernmost wintering shore bird

I rarely go as far south as Florida

I breed in the arctic, cold weather's preferred.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 16, 2021

I am a Greater Yellowlegs

I feed both by feel as well as sight

By day I look for food in the water

And I feel around for food at night.

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 15, 2021

I am known as a Blue Jay

If you hear me, it can be hard to discern

If a Red-shouldered Hawk is calling

Or if I'm just mimicking one, being a jerk

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 14, 2021

This is Heliotropium angiospermum

Commonly known as Scorpion's-Tail

It is a great nectar plant for butterflies

Including the Queen, and Bahamian swallowtail.

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/heliotropium-angiospermum

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 13, 2021

This is Lantana camara

It is invasive and toxic to live stock

You should replace it with native or sterile plants

And hope that it's spreading might stop.

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

Sources: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/lantana.html

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 12, 2021

I am known as a Killdeer

I look a little bit like a Turnstone

Although today I am in the water

It's low vegetation where I feel more at home. 

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Killdeer/lifehistory#habitat

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 11, 2021

I am known as a Ruddy Turnstone

I had to grow up and learn to fly fast - 

At around 3 weeks old, 

In a move brave and bold -

I flew thousands of miles to where the rest of the Turnstones amassed. 

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruddy_Turnstone/overview

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 10, 2021

I am known as a Great Blue Heron,

On the ground, I can look somewhat gangly.

But in flight I am dramatic and beautiful

Like a  film by director Ang Lee. 

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/overview

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ang_Lee

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 9, 2021

I am known as Larus Delawarensis,

More commonly, Ring-billed Gull, 

I mostly eat insects, rodents and grain

I also like French Fries, and sometimes indulge.  

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ring-billed_Gull/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 8, 2021

I am an American Golden Plover,

In Florida, it's unusual to see me

I breed in the high Arctic tundra and then

Migrate to South American mudflats and prairies.

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Golden-Plover/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 7, 2021

I am an adult Bald Eagle,

If I were young I would have brown eyes

My head and tail would also be brown

Like chicks in my nest you can't see due to their size.

(Note: Make sure you click the link below to see a fantastic photo essay on aging Bald Eagles. David Simpson notes that, " He [the author] doesn’t get into the details of wing molt which can tell more about the age of the bird.  Body and head plumage are pretty variable.")

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2013/01/27/a-guide-to-aging-bald-eagles/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 6, 2021

I am a Red-bellied Woodpecker

Though most people just look at my head

But sometimes, like now - if you look really close

You see that my belly's quite red.

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Joe Michael Memorial Trail

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 5, 2021

I am a female Downy Woodpecker

My wings have white flecks but are mostly black

I like to stay healthy, I eat caterpillars and ants

And for exercise, I  do jumping jacks!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 4, 2021

I am a male Downy Woodpecker, 

You can tell I'm male by the red on my head

Females are just plain black and white

I'm prettier - at least that's what she said.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Downy_Woodpecker/id

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 3, 2021

I am a Carolina Satyr

I fly low to the ground in a slow, bouncy fashion

On my under wings I have yellow-rimmed eyespots,

And two dark brown lines and two dark brown dashes.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/BFLY/Carolina_satyr.htm

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 2, 2021

I am an American Robin,

What I eat varies based on time of day

For breakfast I tend to like earthworms

For dinner I like fruit at the Birdie café.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/overview#

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 1, 2021

I am known as a Common Grackle

I look like a blackbird, but taller and longer

I'll eat grain and seed, if you're inclined to feed,

Spread it on the ground and I'll quench my hunger.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Grackle/overview#

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson