Friday, January 31, 2025

January 31, 2025

This plant is known as Fragrant Eryngo
It is a perennial with spiny leaves
Its taproot is described as "carrot-like"
And Eastern Black Swallowtail larvae use it as feed.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Photo originally taken:
Feb 23, 2020

Explanation: Took a while for ID

Sources: http://coastalplainplants.org/wiki/index.php/Eryngium_aromaticum

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

January 30, 2025

This plant is Pluchea carolinensis
It is sometimes used in spiritual healing arts
It is also alleged to cure everything 
From arthritis to fevers to farts.

Location: Satellite Beach, FL

Photo originally taken: Feb 22, 2020

Explanation: Took a while to get a confirmed ID.

Sources: https://data.fs.usda.gov/research/pubs/iitf/iitf_gtr026.pdf#page=587

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

January 29, 2025

I am a Small-eyed Click Beetle
Those large black spots are to cause predators dread
My actual eyes
Are well disguised
And blend in with the top of my head.

Location: Sams House, Pine Island, Merritt Island

Photo originally taken: Feb 20, 2020

Explanation: Not sure why it wasn't included before, I might have just forgotten it.

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/beetles/click_beetle.htm

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

January 28, 2025

I am known as an Alope Sphinx moth
Here's some ID tips for you:
The light and dark patterns on my wings
And the dark mark down my abdomen are clues.

Location: Vero Beach

Photo originally taken: Jan 20, 2020

Explanation: Refer to https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37802791 for details of ID process

Sources: https://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7832

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Monday, January 27, 2025

January 27, 2025

I am a Sosippus floridanus
I'm not a true Funnel Webweaver
It's a surprise
But when you look in my eyes
You'll be a Wolf Spider believer.

Although the Sosippus floridanusbuilds a web and appears similar to the Funnel Orbweaver [family Agelenidae] they have a different eye arrangement, and they also have a "portable egg sack" as do other Wolf Spiders.  Check out the source article for details.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Photo originally taken: Jan 13, 2020 

Explanation: Did not have good ID until a few months ago.

Sources: https://bugeric.blogspot.com/2012/02/spider-sunday-funnel-web-wolf-spiders.html

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Sunday, January 26, 2025

January 26, 2025

I am a Disonycha caroliniana
I'm in the Galerucinae Subfamily
This subfamily includes Skeletonizing Leaf Beetles
And Flea Beetles in the tribe Alticini 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Photo originally taken: Jan 4, 2020

Explanation: Previously ID'd as Disonycha leptolineata. Corrected to Disonycha caroliniana 3 years ago.

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/198503#range

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson


If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

January 25, 2025

This is known as a Giant Brake fern
In Florida, it has escaped cultivation
It can live in swamps and hardwood hammocks
And has spread to areas of conservation.

Location: Kissimmee Prairie State Preserve State Park

Photo originally taken: Oct 27, 2019

Explanation: Didn't get an ID until 2 years ago.

Sources: https://plant-directory.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/pteris-tripartita/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Friday, January 24, 2025

January 24, 2025

This once was a Cuban Treefrog
You can tell by its shape and size
It's been eaten clean by the ants and the bugs
Providing sustenance despite its demise.

Location: Kissimmee Prairie State Preserve State Park

Photo originally taken: Oct 27, 2019

Explanation: This was such a cool find, but for some reason, I didn't have my real camera with me so it's an iPhone photo. At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I have since discovered the photo editing software Topaz (thanks, Susan) and was able to clean it up a little for the blog.

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW259

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Thursday, January 23, 2025

January 23, 2025

This is known as a Groundseltree, 
It also goes by the name Salt Marsh-elder
The fluffy things are dry, one-sided fruits
That would make cute spider shelters.

Location: Kissimmee Prairie State Preserve State Park

Photo originally taken: Oct 27, 2019

Explanation: This was the day I took my favorite picture ever (https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/2019/11/november-21-2019.html) so to be honest, plants just seemed kind of meh to me. But in hind sight, this was a really pretty wildflower. 

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

January 22, 2025

Roses are red
Coastal Plain Palafox is pink
It's only day 1 of the festival
And I'm already too tired to think!

Location: SUMICA, Polk County

Photo originally taken: Oct 12, 2019 

Explanation: I didn't get a positive ID on this plant at the time I took the photo. 

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/palafoxia-integrifolia

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

January 21, 2025

I am known as a Molly Miller
I'm a type of ray-finned fish
I live in rocks or coral reefs
And Little Blues think I'm delish.

Location: Jetty Park, Ft. Pierce

Photo originally taken:
Sep 14, 2019

Explanation:
I posted the uncrossed photo of this Little Blue Heron on Oct 7, 2019. For some reason, it never occurred to me to ID the fish.

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson


If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Monday, January 20, 2025

January 20, 2025

I am a Blue and Yellow Macaw
I'm popular in the pet trade
But I'd rather be out eating fruit and nuts
Singing my loud and raucous serenade.

I think I should just give up photography altogether! Thanks yet again to my special guest photographer, David Simpson. 

Location: Coral Reef Park, Palmetto Bay, FL

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/baymac/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Sunday, January 19, 2025

January 19, 2025

These are known as Wandering Creamsicles
Based on their color and how they are spreading
They were introduced to Florida from Australia
And now they are rapidly northward heading.

Location: Fellsmere Trailhead Preserve

Photo originally taken: Aug 6, 2019

Explanation: Did not receive ID confirmation till 1 year after original posting.

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP375

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson


If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Saturday, January 18, 2025

January 18, 2025

This is Earleaf Greenbrier
It's common in dry, deep sandy soil
Its leaves can vary in size and in shapes such as
Suborbicular or like a stretched out trefoil.

Location: Kissimmee Prairie State Park Preserve

Photo originally taken: October 20, 2018

Explanation: With plants especially, I don't post unless I can find a grown up to confirm my ID. In this case, I did not receive ID confirmation till 4 years after original posting.

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR375

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson


If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Friday, January 17, 2025

January 17, 2025

I am an adult female Pileated Woodpecker
But you might be confused
You might say I'm "partially leucistic"
I say I'm highly improved!

I know I said I wasn't going to be posting any new photos, but David sent this magnificent photo he took today, and I couldn't wait to share it. Thanks as always to my favorite guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Brian Picolo Park

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

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

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson


If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

January 16, 2025

This grass used to be called Bushy Bluestem
But scientists have broken it down into many species
The issue is that they retained the same name
Which makes it harder to learn and teach these.

Location: Kissimmee Prairie State Park Preserve

Photo originally taken: October 20, 2018

Explanation: I originally ID'd this as a Bushy Bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus) but it was renamed to Bushy Bluestem Species Complex (Complex Andropogon glomeratus) after a taxon change on July 27, 2022 that split the genus into multiple levels. On researching this, the confusing part is that the Complex retained the same name of Andropogon glomeratus.

Sources: https://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/G104/lectures/104taxon.html
https://storyneedle.com/lumping-and-splitting-in-taxonomy
https://www.iaptglobal.org/icn
https://ab.pensoft.net/article/38075/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

January 15, 2025

As some of you know, despite retiring from high tech, I have been approximately 10,000,000 times busier now. My latest pet project is being field trip coordinator for the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival. I honestly had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first signed up. Right now, we are exactly a week before the festival starts, then, a week after the festival, I will be headed to Costa Rica. I was thinking about pausing the blog for a month, but after 9 years of uninterrupted daily posts, I just couldn't do it.

But then I remembered a project I've had on the back burner for a while. You see, despite my self-delusions, it turns out, I am not infallible (I can hear your gasps of shock from here). Occasionally I have made some errors or accidental omissions on the blog. So, instead of getting out and taking photos, I have gone back through my iNaturalist submissions, and for the next few weeks will be posting some old photos that I either completely misidentified the first time around, or I did not have an ID for and forgot about. Enjoy this walk down memory lane. I will be back with new stuff from Costa Rica in February.

I am known as Mottled Shore Crab
Not Mangrove Tree, one difference is how we eat -
They like to eat Leaves fallen from trees
But I prefer algae or meat.

Photo originally published: October 4, 2019
https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/2019/10/october-4-2019.html

Explanation: This little guy was hanging out with Mangrove Tree Crabs, and I didn't realize that it was a completely different species until a few people on iNaturalist called me out on it.

Location: Jetty Park, Fort Pierce

Sources: https://research.nhm.org/pdfs/31132/31132.pdf

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

January 14, 2025

I am a sub-adult male Common Yellowthroat
You can see my black mask but it's patchy
If I was female I'd have no black at all
If was adult, I'd look flashy, not shabby.

Special thanks to guest photographer David Simpson.

Location: Pinewoods Park, Miami

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

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Monday, January 13, 2025

January 13, 2025

I am a Scaly-breasted Munia
I'm reddish brown on my head and back
My tummy feathers appear to be scalloped
Because they are white edged in black

Special thanks to my very special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Pinewoods Park, Miami

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/nutman

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Sunday, January 12, 2025

January 12, 2025

I am known as a Spot-breasted Oriole
I was introduced in Florida in the 40's
I'm actually a bright and beautiful bird
But you can't see the Oriole for the trees.

Thanks to my very special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Pinewoods Park, Miami

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Spot-breasted_Oriole/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Saturday, January 11, 2025

January 11, 2025

I am known as a Sedge Wretn
I blend in quite well with my souroundings
My population is said to be in deline
Due to habitat loss - which is sad but not astounding.

Location: Rock Springs Run

Sources: https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1216384/Cistothorus_stellaris

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Friday, January 10, 2025

January 10, 2025

I am known as a Snow Bunting
Florida is not where I belong
I breed in the arctic in temps below zero
But I found food here, so I can stay strong.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson. I was not lucky enough to see this bird.

Location:  Shiloh Marsh, MINWR

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

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Thursday, January 9, 2025

January 9, 2025

I might be a Yellow Ghost Spider
My location and shape are correct
My palps are dark red
I've got some lines on my head
But so do many other spiders, with all due respect!

Location: Dee's car, Fellsmere Trailhead Preserve

Sources: https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Spiders

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

January 8, 2025

I am known as a Snow Goose
I stand out among all the green
I am blue, but I could also be white
Or a plumage somewhere in between.

Location: T.M. Goodwin WFA, Broadmoor Unit

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/snogoo/cur/appearance

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

January 7, 2025

I am known as a Gallinago delicata
Commonly known as Wilson's Snipe
I'm kind of chubby, with a long, awkward beak
I'm a shorebird, but not the beach-body type.

Location: T.M. Goodwin WFA, Broadmoor Unit

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

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.



Monday, January 6, 2025

January 6, 2025

I am a bird known as a Ruff
But from this distance it's hard to tell
The jerks on iNaturalist are picking on Dee
But her husband knows his shorebirds quite well.
The size of my beak, my shape and where I am white
Are all things you can look at to tell.

IF you want to learn more about Shorebirds, join Dee and David at the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife festival coming up on Jan 22-26! We, along with my bud Jessica, will be teaching a Shorebird ID class. Here's a tip: They are all Seagulls. 

Location: T.M. Goodwin WFA, Broadmoor Unit

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/ruff/cur/introduction

https://scbwa.net/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson


If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Sunday, January 5, 2025

January 5, 2025

I am a Peninsular Cooter
Notice the yellow stripes on my face and neck
My front claws
Aren't very long
So I'm either female or very well kempt.

Location: Lake Woodruff WMA

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/freshwater-turtles/cooters

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.



Saturday, January 4, 2025

January 4, 2025

I am known as an Anhinga
My sharply pointed beak is great for fish-spearing
I use my long, stiff tail for many things
Including flight lift, balancing, braking and steering.

Location: Lake Woodruff WMA

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

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.



Friday, January 3, 2025

January 3, 2025

I am American Alligator
I've been a protected species for quite a while
There are lots of alligators
We're not really endangered -
But people confuse us with endangered crocodiles.

Location: Lake Woodruff WMA

Sources: https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/9-amazing-things-you-didn-t-know-about-alligators

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Thursday, January 2, 2025

January 2, 2025

I am known as an Osprey
I'm having fish for dinner tonight
I'm common today
It wasn't always this way - 
We bounced back from DDT pesticide.

Location: Lake Woodruff WMA

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

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

January 1, 2025 (NINE YEARS!)

I am a female Wood Duck
I'm not as glossy and fancy as my mate
I've never appeared on Dee's blog, not once!
If you count years, it's been over EIGHT!

That's right, dear readers, today marks the start of year 9 of Dee at 8 am. That is 2,922 straight days. It is so hard to put into words how much it means to me to have readers that check in and comment, it keeps me going through my darkest days knowing that people are reading and getting something out of this goofy little nature blog. 

I have a few big things coming this year. I plan to finally finish up the Rhyming Guide to Ecuador, most of which is all new content that has not appeared on this blog.  We will be visiting Costa Rica in February, so I am hoping to be doing another international Rhyming Guide. And, of course, being "retired" (aka, working harder than I ever did when I got paid to) I am free to travel and go looking for birds and critters whenever my little heart desires. Which is daily at 8 a.m.

Thanks so much for being here. Hope you all stick around for another 9 years. And, if you are in Florida, please stop by to see me at the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival from Jan 22-26. I am a sponsor of the festival this year, but I don't have a booth as I am the field trip coordinator and will be a tad busy. But do stop by and say hello, especially if you are new to the blog, I love meeting my readers!

Location: Lake Woodruff WMA

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

https://scbwa.net/

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.