June 9, 2023

I am a male Black Horse Fly

You know I'm male because I have holopticholoptic eyes

I drink nectar and thus, I pollinate plants

And don't sting humans, unlike my wife!

Location: St. Sebastian Preserve State Park, Cracker Camp

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 8, 2023

In life, this was a Tooth-necked Longhorn Beetle

Unlike butterflies and bees they appear staid and stoic

But beetles also pollinate too -

And have done so since the Mesozoic.

Location: St. Sebastian Preserve State Park, Cracker Camp

Sources: https://xerces.org/blog/notes-from-other-orders-beetles-as-pollinators

https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/mesozoic/mesozoic.html

https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/embryophytes/angiosperms/angiosperm_pollination/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 7, 2023

This plant is Passiflora incarnata

Its beauty is somewhat ethereal

It blooms spring to fall,

Bringing joy to all 

Of the butterflies who use it as host material.

Location: Private residence, Vero

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/passiflora-incarnata

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 6, 2023

This plant is Jamaican Caper

It is native and propagated from seeds

It attracts pollinators such as Florida White butterflies

And striped-butted Western Honey bees.

Location: Private residence, Vero

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/quadrella-jamaicensis

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 5, 2023

I am a Green Lynx Spider

I am beneficial to many farmers

I eat crop pests, but it's a double edge sword - 

I also am a pollinator harmer!

Location: St. Sebastian Preserve State Park Visitor's Center

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/green_lynx_spider.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 4, 2023

I am a female Needham's Skimmer dragonfly

I pollinate a little, but not on purpose

I generally feed on aquatic invertebrates

But other pollinators are not impervious.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Jungle Trail

Sources: https://guides.nynhp.org/needhams-skimmer/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 3, 2023

I am known as a Dilemma Orchid Bee

I'm metallic green and have large rear tibias

There's a hole in each tibia where I store fragrant compounds

To impress girl bees when "smells good" is boyfriend criteria.

Location: My yard, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/MISC/BEES/green_orchid_bee.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 2, 2023

I am a female Zebra Longwing butterfly

I'm laying eggs, so you know I'm not a boy

My eggs become caterpillars, then metamorphose

And soon - more  Zebra Longwings for you to enjoy!

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 1, 2023 Welcome to Pollinator Month!

These are Eastern Giant and Anise Swallowtails -

Photos taken at the same time but worlds apart

Eastern Giant in Florida, Anise in Wyoming

Pollinator Month's off to a great start!

Today we begin Pollinator month! To learn more about why we need to celebrate pollinators, visit pollinator.org.  For my readers in Central Florida, you can sign up for 3 online webinars and an in-person outdoor event presented by Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves - details at link below.

And, of course, continue reading  and sharing my blog to help spread the pollinator word!

Special thanks to guest photographer, Joy Handley.

Location: Eastern Giant Swallowtail on Red Salvia at my house, in Fellsmere,  Anise Swallowtail on Indian paintbrush in Wyoming where guest photographer Joy lives.

Sources: http://www.pollinator.org/pollinators

https://www.fosifl.org/2023/05/15/celebrate-pollinator-month-with-the-indian-river-lagoon-aquatic-preserves/.

Photos © 2023 Joy Handley, Dee Fairbanks Simpson and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 31, 2023

I am known as a Merlin

North America is where I breed

I usually lay eggs in other birds old nests

In tall pines or deciduous trees.

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Indiana Dunes National Park, Gary Indiana.

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

Photo © 2023 David Simpson and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 30, 2023

We are non-venomous Northern Watersnakes

Having a bit of fun in the sun

The result of this tryst will not be eggs - 

Unlike some snakes, we give birth to live young. 

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Sheldon Marsh Preserve in Huron, OH.

Sources: https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/animals/reptiles-amphibians/common-watersnake

https://a-z-animals.com/blog/7-snakes-that-give-live-birth-as-opposed-to-eggs/

Photo © 2023 David Simpson and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 29, 2023

I'm a male Chestnut-sided Warbler

I wear a yellow cap and have yellow and black wings

I have a chestnut stripe on each of my sides

I'm breeding, otherwise you'd see my eye rings.

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson

Location: Magee Marsh, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chestnut-sided_Warbler/id

Photo © 2023 David Simpson and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 28, 2023

I am a Black-throated Green Warbler

I'm usually easier to hear than to see

I sing non-stop, high in the canopy

About how very much I love trees.

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Magee Marsh, OH

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

Photo © 2023 David Simpson and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 27, 2023

I am a bird known as a Veery

Similar to a Robin, I'm a medium thrush

You can find me around, foraging on the ground

Singing my song at dawn and at dusk. 

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Magee Marsh, OH

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

Photo © 2023 David Simpson and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 26, 2023

I am a Painted Turtle

I can be found from Mexico to Canada

Some of us live 35 to 40 years

But not all of us have that kind of stamina.

Special thanks to guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Magee Marsh, OH

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

Photo © 2023 David Simpson and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 25, 2023

I am an Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly

I'm green, so you know I'm young or female

Unlike adult males, who are mostly blue

And I have square black spots down my tail*

* Technically, that is my abdomen, not my tail, but abdomen doesn't really rhyme with much. 

Location: Goodwin WMA

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/577

https://animalcorner.org/dragonfly-anatomy/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 24, 2023

We are a family of Spoonbills

An adult and three juvie kids

You can tell I'm the adult cause I have a bald head

But my kids wear white feathered wigs.

Location: Goodwin WMA

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Spoonbill/photo-gallery/477944

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 23, 2023

We are a family of Anhingas

Dad is black, mom is tan, baby's white

When mom feeds baby with her long pointy beak

It looks like they're have a sword fight!

Location: Goodwin WMA

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Anhinga/id#

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 22, 2023

I am a Bowl and Doily spider

So named for the style of my web

I weave a fancy placemat with a bowl on top

My prey arrives and I eat like a big celeb!

Location: Charles H. Bronson State Forest, Christmas

Sources: https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Bowl-and-Doily-Weaver-Spider

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 21, 2023

I am a wasp in the Genus Liris

Eating an Eastern Striped Cricket

We are known to be predatory to insects

And here's photographic evidence that I am complicit.

Location: Charles H. Bronson State Forest, Christmas

Sources: http://bugeric.blogspot.com/2012/03/wasp-wednesday-liris.html

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 20, 2023

I am known as a Wood Stork

I'd rather be in shallow water, hunting

I should have taken the left turn at Albuquerque

Now I'm on a Winn-Dixie sidewalk, obstructing.

Location: Winn-Dixie, Sebastian

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 19, 2023

I am a Red-headed Woodpecker

I am known to store my food in crevices and cracks

I store grasshoppers alive, but they don't survive

I come back later and eat them for snacks.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 18, 2023

This is Christmas Lichen

Though it looks like steak stuck on a tree

It consists of fungi, plant matter and bacteria

In a mutualistic relationship - like clownfish and anomes.

Location: Charles H. Bronson State Forest, Christmas

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1296

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 17, 2023

I am a Common Myna

I'm native to south Asia

I can speak multiple languages*

And don't seem to suffer aphasia.

* To quote the article linked below: "Common mynas communicate vocally with other mynas and other bird species [...] In captivity, common mynas are able to imitate human speech."

Location: Florida City

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 16, 2023

I am an African Spurred Tortoise
I'm a vegetarian and eat succulents for hydration

In some African cultures village leaders keep me around

To use my skills in ancestral communication.

Location: Crane Point Hammock, Marathon

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 15, 2023

I am a male Cape May Warbler

I'm chestnut, black and yellow

This Red-bellied Woodpecker's checking me out

I think we'd make very strange bedfellows.

Location: Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, Fort Lauderdale

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Special Mother's Day Edition!

I'm starting this post off with a bouquet of purple flowers for my mom-in-law who doesn't like spiders but does like flowers (you don't have to scroll all the way to the bottom unless you want to:-)

On this Mother's day, be glad you are human

Having over 100 spiderlings is hard!

The very worst thing is Mother's day - 

I never get flowers or even a card!!

xoxoxo,

Dee:-)

May 14, 2023

I am a male Cape May Warbler

My ID marks are tiger stripes and a white wing patch. 

I have rust-colored cheeks

When I'm ready to breed

I'll head north with a mate who thinks I'm a catch.

Location: Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, Fort Lauderdale

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 13, 2023

I am a Mangrove Upside-down Jellyfish

I live in warm, shallow waters

Sometimes crabs carry me on their back

To protect then from predators and marauders.

Location: Crane Point Hammock, Marathon

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 12, 2023

This is the nest of an American Robin

It is made of twigs and grass in the shape of a cup

It can also include feathers, moss, and soft mud

And fine, dry grass to cushion birdy butts.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, MaryAnn Stone.

Location: Private residence, Indianapolis IN

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

Photo © 2023 MaryAnn Stone and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 11, 2023

I am nymph in the genus Largus

Though I'm harmless, I have that red spot

To let predators they should leave me alone

And that I'm mean and scary (though really I'm not.)

Location: Crane Point Hammock, Marathon

Sources: http://bugeric.blogspot.com/2014/05/livin-largus.html

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 10, 2023

This plant is known as Triangle Cactus

Due to its sharp spines, also called "Barbed Wire"

It is eaten by the endangered Key Largo woodrat

Tenacity like that, you have to admire!

Location: Crane Point Hammock, Marathon

Sources: http://fnpsblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/born-in-usa-barbed-wire-cactus.html

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 9, 2023

This plant is known as Elegant Zinnia

It comes in every color but blue

It's non-native and loves the Florida heat

But is annual so each year, must be planted anew.

Location: Sams House, Merritt Island

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 8, 2023

I am a bug in the genus Largus

I have very little impact to people 

So I am not well studied, but they know what I eat:

Plants, carrion and sometimes matter fecal.

Location: Crane Point Hammock, Marathon

Sources: http://bugeric.blogspot.com/2014/05/livin-largus.html

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 7, 2023

I am known as a Lined Tree Snail

My stripes vary from chestnut to blue

I am native to Florida and can be found

On native shrubs and exotic trees too.

Location: Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, Fort Lauderdale

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN305

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 6, 2023

I am an Eastern Striped Cricket

You've probably heard me chirp

I can vary from 6 to 46 chirps per minute

Click the link below to hear an excerpt.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/orth/view.php?checklist_number=122.0

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 5, 2023

I am known as a Green Heron

My nesting site can vary widely

It might be in trees from Mangrove to Willow

30 feet high or close to the ground, just as likely.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 4, 2023

We are a mom and baby Red House Spiders

We share a shower with Dee

We take care of bugs that try to come in the window

It's both how we eat and earn our keep.

Location: Dee's Shower, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/297992-Nesticodes-rufipes

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 3, 2023

I am an adult Asian Lady Beetle

I was introduced in America both accidentally and on purpose

I was released to control arthropod pests,

And I am happy to be of service.

Note: 

In winter they migrate northward

And gather by the thousands - it's annual occurrence

Which can really bug entomophobics 

Who are terrified by the disturbance!

Location: Riverview Park, Vero Beach

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN361

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson