June 30, 2025

I'm a Southern Rough-winged Swallow

You'll see me catching insects from mid air

After breeding, you can find me in very large flocks

But while breeding I am usually half of a pair.

Location: Sarapiqui River, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/srwswa1/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.

June 29, 2025

I am known as a Variegated Squirrel

I can be found in both wet and dry tropical forests

My color can vary from black to lighter yellow

My fur is darkest where rain falls in torrents.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

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

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.

June 28, 2025

I am known as a Russet-naped Wood-Rail

So named for the rusty patch on the top of my head

Personally I think I should be called Russet-crowned

Or Black Powderpuff-Tailed Wood-Rail instead. 

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/runwor1/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.

June 27, 2025

I am an Orange-chinned Parakeet

Take a close look, the name is correct

I'm otherwise green, with a hint of yellow on my wings

My orange chin is a feature, not a defect.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

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

June 26, 2025

I am a Chestnut-headed Oropendola

I'm chestnut with blue on my wings and sides

My tail is part yellow

I'm a quite handsome fellow

And my bill is pale with a casque that extends past my eyes.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/chhoro1/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.

June 25, 2025

I am a Pale-vented Pigeon

My lower belly and undercoverts are pale gray

I am endemic to the  Americas

From southern Mexico to Uruguay. 

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/pavpig2/cur/distribution

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.

June 24, 2025

I am a male White-necked Jacobin

I can appear different based on the view. 

When the sun isn't bright

I look black and white

When the sun's right, I'm shiny green and blue

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/whnjac1/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.

June 23, 2025

I am known as a Green Heron

I have a unique response to human disturbance

I fly off in a swoop

While trailing white poop

If you're beneath me, it's an unpleasant occurrence.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

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

June 22, 2025

I (at the top) am a female Scarlet-rumped Tanager

My mate, at least, lives up to our name

I'm mostly olive-yellow with a grey-brown head

But our black-tipped pale blue beaks are the same.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/y00599/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.

June 21, 2025

I am a Collared Aracari

I am a small Toucan with lengthy beak

The maxilla is serrated and I use it when

I need to break nuts that I want to eat.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/colara1/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.

June 20, 2025

I am a Melodious Blackbird

I have a thick bill and noticeably large feet

My call is reminiscent of the Northern Cardinal's

But much louder and far less discrete!

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/melbla1/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.

June 19, 2025

I am a male (top) Great-tailed Grackle

Like my mate (below) we both have bright yellow eyes

Like Boat-tails in the US, our plumages differ

And my mate is about 1/2 my size.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

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

June 18, 2025

I am a Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer,

Although in Costa Rica, my tail is not bronze

From this view you can't see,

I have naturally pink feet

I don't get my nails done in salons.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/brtplu1/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.

June 17, 2025

I am a Gray-headed Chachalaca

I like to eat insects and fruit off of plants

"Cha-cha-la-ca" is the song that I sing
Which sounds more like a fancy dance.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/grhcha1/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.

June 16, 2025

I am a female Olive-backed Euphonia

My mate has a yellow forecrown, where mine is red

We are both beautiful green backed birds

Though "euphonia" seems like it should be an instrument instead.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/olbeup1/cur/introduction?login

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.

June 15, 2025

I am a Crimson-collared Tanager

I'm black with a white bill and a hood colored rud.

My scientific name is based on the Latin word "sanguinārius"

Which means "full of, or abounding in blood".

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/crctan1/cur/identification

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sanguinary#English

https://www.google.com/search?q=definition+%22rud%22&oq=definition+%22rud%22&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30l9.9090j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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.

June 14, 2025

I'm an American Pygmy Kingfisher

I have a gold neck and my breast is rusty

My head and back are green

I have some white streaks

Shady habitat is where you can find me.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/ampkin1/cur/introduction?login

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.

June 13, 2025

I am a male Shining Honeycreeper

I'm mostly blue with bright yellow feet

My mate's mostly green 

And doesn't look too much like me

But we both like fruit, insects and nectar to eat.

Location: Donde de Cope, Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/shihon1/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.

June 12, 2025

These are Water Lilies in the Nymphaea Genus

They are aquatic, hence the name

There many different colored species

But if you looked at them in gray-scale, they'd all  look the same.

Location: McKee Botanical Garden, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/51122-Nymphaea

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.

June 11, 2025

I am known as a Blue Dasher dragonfly

My scientific name, "Pachydiplax longipennis" doesn't mean what you think

It translates to "Swift Long-winged skimmer"

Although my wings aren't particularly long or distinct.

Location: McKee Botanical Garden, Vero Beach

Sources: https://uwm.edu/field-station/bug-of-the-week/blue-dasher-dragonflies-family-libellulidae/

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.

June 10, 2025

I am a Speckled Hummingbird

My defining marks are my black cheeks and white eye stripes

My throat, breast and underparts are speckled

And all but my two middle tail feathers are tipped white.

(This is a sneak peak at my Rhyming Guide to Ecuador book which I have finally resumed working on again. You know how it is, sometimes life gets in the way! But I promise it will be coming out some day!)

Location: Cosanga, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/spehum1/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.

June 9, 2025

We are a bunch of Swallow-tailed Kites

Sitting in a tree in Dee's driveway

We generally spend most our time in the air

But we roost early and late in the day.

Note: David and I came back from doing Scrub Jay monitoring and were suprised and delighted to see about 9 Swallow-tailed Kites one of the trees beside 

Location: Dee's house

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swallow-tailed_Kite/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.

June 8, 2025

I am a male Western Tanager

My mate is greenish-yellow and gray

We both like to eat insects and fruit

And go to juniper and pine forests on dates.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson!

Location: Private residence, San Simon, AZ

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

Photo © 2025 David Simpson 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.

June 7, 2025

I am a Spotted Owl

I like to hunt Woodrats and Flying Squirrels

Though I'm a federally protected species

Barred Owls are another of my survival hurdles.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson!

Location: Pinery Campground,Coronado National Forest, AZ

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

Photo © 2025 David Simpson 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.

June 6, 2025

We are known as Cinnamon Teals

Males are much easier to spot

When we are breeding we have a rich chestnut color

Our eyes always look like Cinnamon Red Hots

(Whether we are breeding or not.)

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson!

Location: Lake Cochise, Wilcox, AZ

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

https://www.ferraracandyshopusa.com/brands/red-hots

Photo © 2025 David Simpson 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.

June 5, 2025

I am a female Osprey

I have barbed pads on my feet

To help me grip

Slippery fish

Which I bring home for my chick to eat. 

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson!

Location: Cedar Key State Park, Cedar Key, FL

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

Photo © 2025 David Simpson 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.

June 4, 2025

I am known as a Red-eyed Vireo

Here's an interesting fact about evolution:

The genetic distance between Red and White-eyed Vireos

Is greater than that of chimps from humans.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson!

Location: Oak Openings, Whitehouse, Ohio

Sources: Diamond, Jared (1992), The Third Chimpanzee, HarperCollins Publishers.

Photo © 2025 David Simpson 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.

June 3, 2025

I am known as a Field Sparrow

My numbers are declining due to urban sprawl

I won't nest in suburbs

Prairies are preferred

Over houses and buildings and malls.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson!

Location: Oak Openings, Whitehouse, Ohio

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

Photo © 2025 David Simpson 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.

June 2, 2025

I'm an adult male Rose-breasted Grosbeak

My white flanks and rump can incite aggression

In other male Grosbeaks

It's not the red streaks - 

Those are just there for decoration.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson!

Location: Indian River Club, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rose-breasted_Grosbeak/overview

Photo © 2025 David Simpson 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.

June 1, 2025

In the back, I am a female Wood Duck 

As common with birds, the prettier one is the male

I like nest boxes, but if placed too close together

I'll leave my eggs with another female.

Thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson!

Location: Indian River Club, Vero Beach

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

Photo © 2025 David Simpson 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.