July 31, 2021

I am known as a Gull-billed Tern

I eat a little differently than other terns

Instead of just fish, I happily exist

Eating fish, lizards, insects and birds!

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

Location: Bald Point State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gull-billed_Tern/lifehistory

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 30, 2021

This plant is known as Stokes' Aster,

It can grow cultivated or wild

To extend the bloom period, you can deadhead the plant

Then later collect seeds to get a Stokes' Aster child.

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

Location: Private residence, Blountston

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/stokesia-laevis

https://www.thespruce.com/why-you-should-be-deadheading-plants-2132406

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 29, 2021

This might be Whiteleaf Mountain Mint, 

But I wouldn't definitively swear - 

But I'm at least pretty sure it's in the mint family 

Due to the fact that its stalk is square.

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

Location: Private residence, Blountston, FL

Sources: http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/Plant_Identification/Patterns_in_Plants.htm

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 28, 2021

I am a Northern Bobwhite

I'm usually not up this high, I like the ground

I practice ambisexual polygamy

Which is just as salacious as it sounds.

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

Location: Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area

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

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 27, 2021

This is the Purple Coneflower

In Florida, it's an endangered plant

It only grows naturally in Gadsden county

Where bees and butterflies it doth enchant.

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

Location: Private residence, Blountston, FL

Sources: https://flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-echinacea-purpurea/

Photo © 2021 David Simpson and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 26, 2021

I belong to the family Tabanidae

This includes Deer, Yellow and Horse Flies

You can tell that I am a female

Because of the separation between my eyes. 

Location: My yard, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/livestock/deer_fly.htm

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 25, 2021

I am known as a Rock Pigeon

I make a cooing sound when I speak

I wear a collar of iridescence around my neck 

And I wear my heart on my beak.

Location: Riverside Park, Vero

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 24, 2021

The is the result of lots of rain

In the aftermath of a burn

For a few weeks, the palms looked dead

But now they've started to return.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/uw132

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 23, 2021

I am a Muscovy-Mallard hybrid

I am the best of two worlds

I have a beautiful, bright green head* 

And I am glittery like a little girl.**

* The green head is from the mallard

** The glittery look, or iridescence, is from the Muscovy 

Location: A park in the Florida Panhandle

Sources: https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/waterfowl-hybrids

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 22, 2021

I am an Atlantic Grasshopper

My antenna are twice as long as my pronotum

Ha ha! Dee's got herself in a bind - 

How's she gonna rhyme pronotum in poem?

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/ghopper/spur3.pdf (scroll down to page 59)

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 21, 2021

I am a long-headed toothpick grasshopper

My name says all you need to know

I have wings that are too small for me to fly

So I hop wherever I go.

Location: Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/ghopper/strid.pdf

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 20, 2021

This is what Scrub Jay poop looks like

I'm sure it's something you've always wanted to know.

I poked it with a stick, for science, yeah, that's it!

But when a Jay's gotta go, he's gotta go. 

(I really did poke the poop with a stick - it was from a bird who is having a health issue, and when I saw him poop, I was curious as it looked weird. It was surprisingly rubbery. I need to find out if that is normal. I thought it would be kind of liquid like what they do on my windshield at inopportune times.)

Location: Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Florida_Scrub-Jay/overview

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 19, 2021

I am a baby Florida Gopher Tortoise

I like to eat low-hanging fruits

The hexagon things upon my back

Are commonly known as scutes.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: http://horsefieldtortoise.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Horsefield-Tortoise-Parts-genus-and-biology.jpg

https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/gopher-tortoise/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 18, 2021

I am a Florida Box Turtle

Look close, you'll see I have a sharp beak

I'm susceptible to cold weather

But do great in the Florida heat.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 17, 2021

I am a baby Northern Mockingbird

Looking ever so innocent

But right before Dee took this picture

I was involved in a Scrub Jay incident!

(This guy has been hanging around one of the Scrub Jay families that I monitor. It's a little odd in that his mom doesn't care about the Scrub Jays, but I've seen this little booger dive-bombing and harassing the family.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-mockingbird

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 16, 2021

This is a very large, quite dead fish

From the Grouper and Sea Bass family

He was caught, died and thrown back in the water

What a sad and terrible calamity!

Location: Skyway Fishing Pier, Tampa Bay

Sources: http://www.fao.org/3/y4161e/y4161e51.pdf

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 15, 2021

I am a Picture-winged Antlion

My larvae have a two-toothed mandible

I'm a predator and like to eat aphids

And my beauty is intangible.

Special thanks to guest photographer, Lydia.

Location: Titusville

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/neuroptera/Glenurus_gratus.htm

Photo © 2021 Lydia, and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 14, 2021

I am a baby American Robin

You can find me in woodlands, gardens and fields

Sometimes I like to visit my friend, George

And sit on his windshield.

(Thanks to today's very special guest photographer, my big bruddah George. He had to get out of the car and ask the bird to leave, the bird was fine.)

Location: private residence, Concord MA

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 13, 2021

I'm known as a Marsh Rabbit

Vegetation's what I loves to chomp

I like to swim and have many relatives

Who live in the Dismal Swamp.

Location: Sebastian Inlet

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 12, 2021

We are both Brown Pelicans,

I've a brown head so you know I'm not an adult

I am older and breeding -

My yellow and white head are the result.

Location: Sebastian Inlet

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 11, 2021

I am yesterday's mystery bird

I am known as a Royal Tern

Climate change will affect me soon

But right now I'm a species of low concern.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least-concern_species

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 10, 2021

I am a Mystery Bird

Can you tell me what I am? 

I prefer to spend time near the water

And generally don't go inland.

Time for another Dee at 8 a.m. mystery bird. If you are the first person to guess this bird, you can choose the subject of our next video. Please send email with your answer, don't post the answer on Facebook, Instagram, or as a comment to the blog. Answer will be posted tomorrow. Good luck!

Location: Sebastian Inlet

Sources: You tell me!

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 9, 2021

I am a Snowy Egret

Involved in an odd romance

The White Ibis might have a big funny beak,

But he's teaching me how to dance.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

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

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White_Ibis/id

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 8, 2021

I am an adult Black-crowned Night-Heron,

Compared to other Herons, I am quite stocky

But my eyes are bright red, and with slicked back hair,

I still strut around feeling cocky!

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

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

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 7, 2021

I am known as Corn Snake
I am beautiful and shouldn't be detested

I'm non-venomous and every time I bite humans

It's because I was being intentionally molested.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/snake/red-cornsnake/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 6, 2021

I am known as a Southern Toad

I am found in most southeastern states.

But I am not found in the state of Tennessee

Southern Toad don't need them around anyway.

(With all apologies to both Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Location: Sumica Nature Preserve, Polk County

Sources: https://srelherp.uga.edu/anurans/bufter.htm

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 5, 2021

I am a Decaphora cubana

I was introduced in Florida from Cuba

I am in the family of Huntsman spiders

And I have 8 strong arms but I can't play the tuba.

Location: Sumica Nature Preserve, Polk County

Sources: https://www.gbif.org/species/127668348

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 4, 2021

This is known as Queen of the Night

So named because of when it blooms

Its large and showy white flower

Would make a lovely evening wedding festoon.

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Special thanks to guest photographer Heather Stapleton.

Sources: http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:138488-1

Photo © 2021 Heather Stapleton and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 3, 2021

I am a Common Snapping Turtle

I can be quite vicious based on the situation

Alone in the water I can be docile and calm

But with another turtle - we're talkin' decapitation!

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

Location: Ashville, NC

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

Photo © 2021 David Simpson, text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 2, 2021

I am an Eastern Giant Swallowtail

You can find me throughout the American continent

You might confuse me with the Schaus' swallowtail

But they are rare and in Florida, I am predominant.

(Note: The Schaus is found only in the Florida keys, and its tail is solid black, it is not yellow edged with black as the Giant Swallowtails is.)

Location: My yard, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/citrus/giantswallowtail.htm

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 1, 2021

I am a Zebra Longwing

I eat both nectar and pollen

Because of that I live longer than most butterflies

And in Florida throughout the year I am common.

Location: My yard, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/zebra_longwing.htm

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson