February 28, 2023

I am known as a Black Skimmer

I have a black tail that has a few white speckles

My beaks mandibles don't match and are bi-colored

And I use them to organize my feathers when disheveled.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 27, 2023

I am a male Eastern Towhee

I tend to be quite solitary

I don't like company

From other Towhees

I'll make a threat display if they don't leave voluntarily.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 26, 2023

I am a male Bald Eagle

Flying with a fish to impress my mate

I dropped the fish, but I might still get my wish

She's flying with me, so maybe we'll date!

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Broadmoor Unit, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.britannica.com/animal/bald-eagle

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 25, 2023

I am a fly in the Tachinidae family

I'm a type of Bristle fly

The name comes from

Bristles found on my bum

And there are more on my underside.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Broadmoor Unit, Fellsmere

Sources: https://genent.cals.ncsu.edu/insect-identification/order-diptera/family-tachinidae/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 24, 2023

I am known as a Wood Stork

I resemble a hunch-back when I am aground

That's cause when I sit, I have my neck drawn in

Instead of outstretched like when I'm flying around.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Broadmoor Unit, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 23, 2023

I am known as a Cattle Egret

But not in all places in the world

I'm also called Elephant Bird and Rhinocerous Egret

Based on the grazing animal with which I'm observed.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Broadmoor Unit, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 22, 2023

I am a Yellow-rumped Warbler

Its unusual to have black spots on my neck

I'm not sure what they are, they could be ticks

And due to the location, it's difficult to check

But I'm a perching bird who feeds on seeds,

So ticks are a logical suspect.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Broadmoor Unit, Fellsmere

Sources: https://beta.nsf.gov/news/new-study-identifies-bird-species-could-spread

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 21, 2023

I am a Red Admiral butterfly

I prefer fresh dung over nectar when I dine

When  young, I fed on plants in the nettle family

But as I get older, my tastes have refined.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Broadmoor Unit, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 20, 2023

I am a Redear Sunfish

I got a cheap flight on Osprey Airlines

The scenery's nice, but next time I'll think twice

The seating is killing my spine!

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Broadmoor Unit, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/florida-fishes-gallery/redear-sunfish/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 19, 2023

This is a Virginia Pepperweed

It is a plant that is hermaphroditic

It's edible, but derided as "Poor man's pepper" 

I guess everybody's a critic!

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Broadmoor Unit, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-lepidium-virginicum

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 18, 2023

I am a Little Blue Heron

In Florida, I have a "Threatened" status

Although there is not a definitive reason for this

It could be poor environmental protection practice.

(As described in the linked article, "The current threats to the little blue heron are not well understood.  Threats may include coastal development, disturbance at foraging and breeding sites, environmental issues, degradation of feeding habitat, reduced prey availability, and predators.  Other threats may include exposure to pesticides, toxins, and infection by parasites (Rodgers et al. 1995).

Yeah, that might have something to do with it...)

Location: F. Burton Smith Regional Park

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/little-blue-heron/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 17, 2023

I am known as a Palm Warbler

You don't normally see the black patch on my chest

But today it is windy, my feathers are bendy

And, oh bother! I just do not look my best!

Location: Leroy Wright Recreation Area

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 16, 2023

I am a male Common Yellowthroat,

I wear a black mask that is trimmed in white

My throat is bright yellow, 

I'm an adorable fellow

You can find me in habitats both wet and dry.

Location: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 15, 2023

Out of more than fifty warbler species found in North America, 

I am, by far, the most common

I am known as a Yellow-rumped Warbler, 

Cause my butt is the color of pollen.

Location: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/news/10-fun-facts-about-yellow-rumped-warbler

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 14, 2023

I am a Southern Yellow-winged Grasshopper

You can find me in Florida and across the southeast

I have a thick body, and enlarged rear legs

And grasses are what I love to eat. 

Location: Bluefield Ranch Preserve, St. Lucie County

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 13, 2023

I am a Peninsular Cooter

Researchers think that I might tittilate my mate

That means I quickly vibrate my claws in front of her face

If she is impressed, we go out on a date.

Location: Gleason Park, Indian Harbour Beach

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

https://www.stcnature.org/turtle-courtship

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 12, 2023

I am a Common Snapping Turtle

I live in water with mud underneath

I look a lot like a Pokemon Torterra

But I don't have actual trees, I just have algae.

Location: Gleason Park, Indian Harbour Beach

Sources: https://macmarzolini.weebly.com/

https://pokemon.fandom.com/wiki/Torterra

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 11, 2023

I am a Florida Softshell Turtle

I have a light plastron with a dark carapace above

I have webbed toes, and a pig-snout shaped nose

And a face only a mother could love.

Location: Gleason Park, Indian Harbour Beach

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 10, 2023

I am an older male Pond Slider

On my shell you can see I have lots of melanin

As I age, my color gets dark, so I'm black

On my carapace, plastron, and on my skin.

Location: Gleason Park, Indian Harbour Beach

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 9, 2023

I am known as a Corn, or Red Rat Snake

I'm non-venomous although I try

To coil up and look threatening and scary

When I think there's a danger nearby.

(Such as obnoxious photographers/bloggers.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 8, 2023

It is not often obvious

Why my name is "Red-shouldered Hawk"

But I thought I would show off today

Since Dee took the time to stop by and talk.

Location: Bluefield Ranch Preserve, St. Lucie County

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 7, 2023

We are Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs,

Compare and contrast our beaks

The Greater's bills are thick and have a slight curve

The Lessers bills are straight with a thinner physique.

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

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lesser_Yellowlegs/species-compare/73808171

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 6, 2023

We are known as Least Sandpipers

We're the smallest sandpiper, about the size of a sparrow

We are very light - we must be for flight

It helps that we have hollow bones with no marrow.

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

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 5, 2023

I am a male Magnificent Frigatebird,

I'll chase and harass other birds till they puke

I'll then catch their last meal before it hits ground

Easy with fish, but much harder with soup.  

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, Centennial Trail

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 4, 2023

I am a Pandion haliaetus ssp. carolinensis

I'm one of four Osprey subspecies, defined by region

P. h. ridgwayi and P. h. leucocephalus are non-migratory

P. h. haliaetus and I migrate for breeding season.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 3, 2023

We are adult Sanderlings

Eating marine invertebrates is something we enjoy

We also chase waves and have fun, fun, fun,

Listening to the Beach Boys.

Location: Sebastian Inlet State Park

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 2, 2023

We are known as Black Vultures

Most humans think we're smelly and profane

But we actually spend much of our time preening 

And bathing in shallow water, and even in rain. 

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/blkvul/cur/behavior#selfmaint (requires paid subscription - but totally worth it if you want information on ALL of the birds of the world!)

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 1, 2023

I am a male Vermilion Flycatcher

To impress a girl, I'll give her a butterfly

I carry large insects back to my perch

Where I whack them till they're tenderized.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Vermilion_Flycatcher/lifehistory#food

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson