February 28, 2025

I am a Northern Emerald-Toucanet

A am a medium sized Toucan

I like to eat a wide variety of fruit

And my babies eat more spiders than you can.

Location: Soda Cinchona, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/noremt1/cur/foodhabits

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.

February 27, 2025

I am a White-nosed Coati,

Like humans and bears, I walk plantigrade

I'm a carnivore

But I also support

Fruit growers and the banana trade.

Location: Soda Cinchona, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica

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

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.

February 26, 2025

I am a Blue-gray Tanager

I'm light gray and blue with a black beak and eyes

I am pretty well known

For building nests high and low,

Frequently using stolen supplies.*

*As described in the linked article, "[the Blue-gray Tanager]... often pilfers material from unfinished or even occupied nests of other species"

Location: Soda Cinchona, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/bugtan/cur/introduction#repro

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.

February 25, 2025

I am a Silver-throated Tanager

I'm yellow streaked with a pale throat patch

I can be found from Costa Rica to Ecuador

My singing voice is buzzy like the insects I catch.

(This was one of my favorite birds we saw on this trip. I think I took hundreds of photos of them, they are just so adorable, photogenic, and willing posers.)

Location:  Soda Cinchona, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/sittan1/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.

February 24, 2025

I am a Great-tailed Grackle

I'm about twice the size of my mate

Because she is smaller, she requires less food

And has a higher and longer survival rate.

Location: Near Soda Cinchona, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great-tailed_Grackle/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.

February 23, 2025

I am a Scintillant Hummingbird

"Scintillant" means glittery or sparkly

When the sun hits me right,

My neck show up bright

As I fly around orchards and coffee.

Location:  Corso Gate, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, Costa Ric

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/scihum1/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.

February 22, 2025

I am known as a Lesson's Motmot, 

You know I'm me from my neon-turquoise head

I have a long tail that ends in two racquets

I don't play tennis, I'm just trying to get bred.

Location: Hotel Bougainvillea, Heredia Province, Cantón de Santo Domingo, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/bucmot2/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.

February 21, 2025

I am a male Hoffmann's Woodpecker

I have a yellow nape and a small red toupee

My nest predators include Pygmy Owls

Which we mob so they don't make our kids prey.

Location: Hotel Bougainvillea, Heredia Province, Cantón de Santo Domingo, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/hofwoo1/cur/behavior

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.

February 20, 2025

I am known as a Red-billed Pigeon

I sit in trees and sing whoo, whoop-a-whoo

My bill is bi-colored,

Part pink, part like butter,

The rest of me is mauve and gray-blue.

Location: Hotel Bougainvillea, Heredia Province, Cantón de Santo Domingo, Costa Rica

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

February 19, 2025

I am known as a Social Flycatcher

I'm common in the neotropics

I'm brown and yellow with a white stripe on my head

I sit out in the open, you won't need your optics!

I just got back from trip to Costa Rica. Stay tuned for the next few days to see a little of what I saw.

Location: Hotel Bougainvillea, Heredia Province, Cantón de Santo Domingo, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/socfly1/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.

February 18, 2025

I am a Purple Gallinule

My scientific name is similar to yesterday's bird

Swamphens and I are both rails

We both eat plants and snails

But I'm native, they are non-native curs.

Location: Green Cay, Boynton Beach

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

February 17, 2025

I am a Gray-headed Swamphen

I have pinkish legs and brownish knees

Well, actually, those are my ankles

 My knees are under my feathers near my body.

Special thanks to my guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Green Cay, Boynton Beach

Sources: Make sure you check out this link, it has a great comparison drawing that explains bird feet and legs. https://www.skeletaldrawing.com/home/2011/09/um-hey-scientific-american-bird-knees.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.

February 16, 2025

I am a Pseudemys nelsoni

Commonly known as Florida Red-bellied Turtle

You know that I'm male

Cause I've long front toenails

But both me and my mate wear red girdles.

Special thanks to my guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Green Cay, Boynton Beach

Sources: https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2020/06/18/2020-year-of-the-turtle-florida-red-bellied-turtle/

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.

February 15, 2025

I am known as a Chuck Will's Widow

Allegedly that's what my call sounds like

During the day I sit still and don't make a sound

You will only hear me at night. 

(Bird calls are the ear of the beholder - to me it sounds like he is saying, "Well, whoop-dee-doo, Well, whoop-dee-doo!")

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

Location: Green Cay

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chuck-wills-widow/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.

February 14, 2025

I am a Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Shown here with my kids and mate

When a camera comes out

No matter how much I shout

Someone makes a goofy face. 

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-bellied_Whistling-Duck/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.

February 13, 2025

I am a female Egyptian Goose on my nest

My mate is never around

I think it because I built my nest in a tree

And he's looking for me on the ground. 

(Egyptian Geese usually nest on the ground, but occasionally nest high in trees. This was the first nest David and I have ever seen in a tree. But I must say it looked really comfy amongst the ferns.)

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

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

February 12, 2025

I am known as an Egyptian Goose

I have a hard time getting dates

I think it's because it looks terrifyingly like

There's a bird eating it's way out of my face. 

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

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

February 11, 2025

We are a pair of European Starlings

Getting down though it's early in the season

We're cavity nesters and we've got our own place

And love doesn't need a reason. 

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

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

February 10, 2025

I am a female Red-bellied Woodpecker

The top of my head is not red like my mates

My belly is pink,

Not as red as you'd think

Bird names don't always match the bird's traits.

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

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

February 9, 2025

I am a male Muscovy Duck

My caruncles help me attract a mate

They drive the girl Muscovies wild

(Caruncles are the red warty things on my face.)

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/musduc/cur/identification

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.

February 8, 2025

I am known as a Mourning Dove

There is something quite wrong with my foot - 

It could be the result of a predator

Or illness, fishing line, or hooks.

Location: Vero Beach Country Club

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

February 7, 2025

I am known as a Forster's Tern

I have long wings and short legs

I dive when I want to catch some prey and

Perform spiral courtship flights when I want eggs.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, Jessica Sodano.

Location: Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

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

February 6, 2025

We are American Avocets

If we were breeding, we'd be partly pink

We are hunting for aquatic invertebrates

Such as beetles, and brine flies and shrimp.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, Jessica Sodano.

Location: Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

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

February 5, 2025

I am known as a Great Egret

In general, I'm calm and attractive 

Except when I'm looking straight into a lens - 

Then I look mean and combative.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, Jessica Sodano.

Location:  Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

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

February 4, 2025

I am a Long-billed Dowitcher

Hanging out with my friend the Killdeer

I have Herbst corpuscles on the tip of my bill

Which help me to find prey hidden here.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, Jessica Sodano.

Location: Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Long-billed_Dowitcher/overview

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/02/990211072751.htm (although this article talks about a Sandpiper, the principles are the same)

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.

February 3, 2025

This was once a Mournful Sphinx Moth

But alas, it got trapped in my car

Although I am sad it expired

The photography was easier, by far. 

(I was walking out to the mailbox, and when I passed my car, I saw what appeared to be a weird leaf hanging out of my hatch. Just in case, I went inside and grabbed my camera.  It was in fact this crazy-large moth, but alas, he was expired. But I didn't want it to die in vain so I photographed him to include here on the blog.)

Location:  Fellsmere, my car

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Enyo-lugubris

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.

February 2, 2025

I am a first year Glaucous gull

I normally stay in the Arctic

I'm second in size only to Great Black-backed Gulls

To measure my wingspan takes almost 2 yard sticks!

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

Location: Port Canaveral

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

February 1, 2025

I am an adult non-breeding Black-headed Gull

Although black is not the color of my head

At the moment I've got

Just little a black spot

But a clue to my id: legs and beak are both red.

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

Location: Cocoa Landfill

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-headed_Gull/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.